Soul Cry of the Heart
Soul Cry of the Heart
Soul Cry of the Heart
Soul Cry of the Heart
By Laura Danielle
Soul Cry of the Heart
2
Copyright 2000, Laura Danielle, All Rights Reserved.
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CHAPTER 1
CHAPTER 1
CHAPTER 1
CHAPTER 1
Realizing there wasn’t time to move, her heart began
to pound furiously. She could feel her heartbeats,
knock hard and fast against her chest cavity as though
the organ wanted to escape from the impending
disaster. Panic swelled inside the woman’s brain
petrifying her movements with fear.
Ominously announcing its’ approach by the rumble of
its’ wheels on the ground beneath her, the wagon
loomed closer becoming more vivid every second it
raced forward. Julia Carwood, wide eyed and too
scared to breathe, resolutely braced herself for what
she figured were her last minutes on earth.
“Hey there,” was all she heard, along with the loud
screaming of horses and the screech of a side board
brake; then darkness, shock and the inevitable freezing
of time in which Julia’s mind closed expecting imminent
death. As she waited to see if the Angels of Glory were
going to appear before her, she felt something warm
and comforting envelop her. For a moment, she
thought it was the peace of heaven. Then, in a matter
of seconds regaining what senses had returned, she
realized she was not only alive, but coated with an
odorous smelling substance very similar to the material
her Uncle Paddy put in the gardens at his home.
Mortification engulfed Julia, not to mention the smell.
Unable to move, she continued to kneel with her hat
plastered to her head. A covering of the horrible
material formed on what remaining brim her hat had
creating a waterfall that fell in bunches to a nicely cut
suit.
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Dust created from the near-miss accident assailed her
nostrils and eyes. Trying to hold her breath, but
coughing instead from the smell and the dust, Julia
tried valiantly to regain her wits. Slowly raising
trembling gloved hands to her mouth to cover her
coughing, she finally regained her composure, then
looking down at her suit, which was now obviously
ruined, she started to delicately wipe the oozing mess
from her lap.
Her body jumped as a manly voice, edged with fear
and frustration, penetrated the shock that seemed to
petrify her. “What are you doing kneeling on the street
like that? Woman, you could have been killed. Can I
help you up?”
He stood over her while his pulse hammered wildly in
his head. His breathing, coming in short spurts, was
deep and raspy which caused his wide chest to rise and
fall with each panicked respiration. Fear painted his
eyes and he began shaking when he thought of what
could have happened. He prodded the woman once
more who continued to kneel, staring at the ground.
“Are you ok? Are you hurt?”
He thought he saw her move slightly. Lifting his head
to the sky, he rubbed the back of his neck and then
dropped his hands to his sides waiting impatiently for a
response that wasn't long in coming. When it did, he
wasn’t sure he was hearing right.
“Do I have you to thank for this?” Her voice was as icy
as a cold Montana morning; husky and low toned.
Sultry would have been the word for it if he had, had a
notion to think of it. Raising a round dust covered face
to him, she accused him with her incredibly clear green
eyes, which for some reason made him uncomfortable
and very defensive.
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Adjusting his stance to defend himself and thumbing
his hat off his forehead, he looked at her and thought
with mocking assessment. ‘Why she’s just a little thing
for such a sassy mouth. He then replied, in his opinion,
a perfectly wise retort.
“Well ma’am, the way I look at it, people don't just
kneel in the middle of the road waiting to be run over.”
Smiling with raised eyebrows; his expression looked at
her eagerly as if he was expecting her to agree with
him. When she didn't, the smile faded and a hint of a
pout formed in the lower part of his face. He shrugged
his shoulders as if to dismiss the event.
She looked a pitiful sight kneeling in the center of the
road with the cow manure dripping off her hat brim.
Her face, totally dust ridden, looked like a Japanese
Kabuki dancer with red eyes poking through the
makeup and by the way her eyes were glaring at him
all she needed was a sword and a few choice Japanese
words.
Feeling helpless and embarrassed knowing the whole
town was watching the two of them; the man did not
know what to do. Therefore, he did the only thing he
could think of. He bent down to help her. Curious as to
what her reaction would be, the man watched her
expression as he leaned closer to help her. As he did,
the illusion of the Kabuki dancer he had just imagined
must have hit a nerve. His cheeks began to twitch, and
he tightened his lips hoping to stop what he knew was
going to happen.
Standing up, suddenly, he began to snicker. Putting his
hand over his mouth, he desperately tried to hold back
the laughter that threatened to explode. Then begging
forgiveness with his tearing eyes, the small kind of
laugh became a full-fledged guffaw. Within seconds,
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the man bent over contorted in convulsive laughter
that set off the whole town that had gathered to view
the amusing situation.
He figured the woman’s face was turning red as a beet
under all the dust. She looked like she wanted to cry
with embarrassment or crawl into a hole in the ground
and hide there forever. Raising her chin in indignant
pride, she pierced him with a look. Pain and humiliation
revealed themselves in her expressive eyes.
Backing up, chastised by her expression, he stopped
laughing as quickly as he started. Trying to catch his
breath and feeling somewhat responsible for the
horrible predicament she was in, he wanted to help her
but she seemed so unapproachable.
Anger paled the green in her beautiful emerald eyes
and her nostrils flared as she venomously hissed at
him. “What do you find so funny? A crevice in the road
in this God forsaken town tripped me and caused me to
fall.” She flailed her arms about throwing the odorous
material onto his boots. “Did I do something funny?
Maybe you ought to look where you are going and not
drive like a crazy person! For all I know you are a crazy
person laughing at a woman in distress.” Her chin rose
in defiance and her look dared him to challenge her.
His eyes widened in astonishment and he opened his
mouth to say something. Before he could get a word
out, she continued, “I heard that there were some
scoundrels in this country, but I didn’t expect to meet
one so quickly.” At the word scoundrel, the man’s eyes
narrowed and his stance stiffened as though he was
ready to do battle.
Taking off her gloves, she hurriedly began to stuff her
clothes into her bags. He could tell by the clothes she
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was wearing she was a woman of quality, but he was
confused. She had a lot of fire for a tiny genteel lady.
The “scoundrel” looked down at her when he heard her
begin to sniffle. Abdicating his pride to her tears, he
kneeled down to help her wondering what he could do
to console her. “Look Lady, I’m really sorry.” She
ignored him. Wanting to help, he picked up a piece of
clothing that happened to be a pair of frilly white
bloomers. Snickering to himself, he handed them to
Julia. “Lady, I think you better take these.”
Her eyes widened in embarrassment. Travis noticed the
back of her neck not marred by the dust betrayed her
embarrassment. “Ohhh.” Grabbing the clothing from
him, Julia's trembling voice became strident and
hysterical. “You beast. You shouldn't laugh at a woman
in distress, or make fun of her,” she struggled for the
right word, “her private things.” The beautiful eyes
turned glassy as tears rolled down her cheeks creating
pathways through the dust on her face.
Finished with the packing and picking up her bags,
Julia proudly stood up and faced him fully expecting an
apology. She was shorter than he was, but she could
hold him with a stare.
Sensing what she wanted only made him dig his heels
in harder. The man and the woman stood in Battle of
OK Corral stances, profoundly eyeing each other. The
town amused by the scene that was playing out quit
their business for a few minutes of pleasure to watch
this unusual situation.
The man’s eyes held her in a narrowed gaze. Julia
could see their mocking expression. Staring back at
him, she set her face in the sternest posture she could
think of, obviously a bluff, to let him know he did not
intimidate her.
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Amused by her spirit, he had to admit she had a lot of
spunk for a tiny thing. He only meant to lighten up the
situation, when he decided to have some fun. “Well,
ma'am you're right.” His eyes still carried the mocking
intensity but his smile was devastatingly sweet.
Caught off guard she didn't know whether he was
mocking or sincere. She stiffened in anticipation when
he spoke. Sarcasm filled his voice. “I am a scoundrel
but my mama taught me to be a gentleman. Would you
like me to help you?” Taking off his hat, he bowed and
waved it pretending to be a courtier of the 16
th
century.
People in the audience caught their breath as the tiny
frail body started to tremble with anger. Screeching
and crying, Julia lost all control. “You horrible mean
man.” She was pushing at him. “Get away from me.
You are despicable.” Almost falling again in her
tenacity to push him away, her hat fell off revealing a
crown of startling copper colored hair.
Stepping back from her to avoid her punches, his eyes
opened in fascination. It was the most beautiful hair he
had ever seen. It reminded him of the shiny copper
pieces that his father had in display in one of the
elegant china cabinets he kept in his office. Discovered
through a shipping salvage project during a summer in
Spain, his father would let him play with them when he
was a child.
Shocked out of his reverie, he tried to protect himself
when, out of control, she started racing toward him
crying and screaming. Quickly, he grabbed her wrists
and was holding her at bay when she expertly laid a
kick on his shin.
His breath was hot and much too close as he tried to
keep his voice low enough to speak to her but not loud
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enough for anyone else to hear what he was saying.
Seething with anger at her lack of control, his voice
strained with pain and malice. “Ow, that hurt. You sure
are a she-devil and that temper matches that hair of
yours. Kick me again like that and see what happens! I
don’t normally hit a woman but you are sorely
tempting me.”
“Now you are threatening me as well as man handling
me?” She was strong for a little thing. “You better let
me go.” She wriggled and contorted in her struggle to
get free.
“Not on your life honey. I’m not looking to get kicked
again. Is this your usual modus operandi or is it just
saved for me?” His shin ached as he maneuvered her
into a bear hug.
“I’ll scream for the constable. She struggled to try and
get an arm free to scratch him if she could. He’ll do you
in!”
“Scream all you want, you little hellcat. I’m a great
friend with the sheriff here. Seems to me you attacked
me first. Maybe we ought to see what he says.” He
realized that the comment didn’t work as he thought it
would. She struggled even harder. “Hell, you are a
stubborn mite!” He barely escaped another kick.
“And you,” she tried to slip under his grasp. “You are
the rudest person I have ever met!” Barely able to
contain her, he smelled the slight scent of violets that
filled her non muddied hair and his hands touched
mounds and curves ordinarily out of bounds in a
normal situation. She was rapidly losing strength.
Finally having worked herself into a frenzy her eyes
rolled back and she fainted.
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The townspeople watching didn’t often get this much
entertainment and they were enjoying every minute of
it. Cheering and jeering they watched this
confrontation between the person considered one of
the most eligible and evasive bachelors in the area
known as Travis Parnell and the mystery woman with
the shocking copper hair.
Emerging from the crowd was an enormous wild haired
woman of about sixty with the weather worn face of a
tough pioneer. Dressed in a frayed gray homespun
dress topped with an apron that had seen better days,
she ordered the crowd in a loud booming voice. “Out of
my way, out of my way, move over.” The crowd parted
like the Red Sea for Augusta Reiner the town’s midwife
and part time doctor.
Her face was fierce with determination and concern.
Lumbering over to Julia she knelt down and patted the
young girl’s cheeks. Then turning, she looked at the
handsome man with probing eyes. “Travis, what have
you gone and done to this young slip of a thing?”
“Me?” Travis looked at Augusta in disbelief. He then
exhaled, relaxed somewhat, and gently shook the
young girl. “She was the one kneeling in the street,” he
said defensively. Taking one hand off of Julia, Travis
took his hat off, rubbed the back of his neck and put
his hat back on. “I could have killed her Augusta.”
Still patting her face Augusta looked up at Travis. “Well
thank the Lord you didn't. You drive like a maniac
sometimes.” Seeing the remorse in his eyes, she
smilingly touched his shoulder reassuring him that it
was all right.
They both stared at the girl who was now beginning to
show signs of consciousness. Blinking to clear the haze
from her eyes, Julia slowly came to; finding herself
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locked in the man's arms. It felt warm and comforting.
Giving herself a minute to examine him, she looked up
into the face of the man that caused her so much
trouble.
He was not a bad looking man and he was looking at
her with such concern, she wondered if she hadn't
been a little hard on him. His curly auburn colored hair
was of medium length. Little ringlets had fallen over his
forehead, giving him a youthful angelic look. Smelling
of leather and horses, there was just a faint hint of
cologne. His face was angular and unshaven and she
assessed that he was probably around thirty.
“Well, it looks like the hellcat is awakening.” He was
now eyeing her in the same mocking way that set her
defenses at attention. Mocking or not and figuring the
worst, she glared at him and began to extricate herself
out of his arms. Brushing herself off, as though to
cleanse herself of his presence, she turned and looked
into the eyes of the old woman that was staring at her.
The woman was old and ugly but her pale blue eyes
were clear and kind. Tendrils of gray and muddy brown
hair fell around her deeply lined face which was still
remarkably supple. A large nose filled her face and her
full mouth suggested a kind nature. Putting her hand
on Julia's back, she started to rub it trying to comfort
the girl and keep her calm.
“Come on honey. I have a room and a bath. Let’s get
you cleaned up, then you can think about what you
want to do for the rest of day.” Taking Julia’s hand she
helped the dazed young girl up.
Turning to the crowd Augusta ordered them about as
though she knew each and every one of them. “The
rest of you can stop your bug eyeing.” Waving her
arms, signaling them that the show was over, the
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woman then gently put her arm around Julia’s shoulder
that was still trembling.
Augusta sympathized with the embarrassment the girl
had experienced. She knew the girl wasn’t from around
here and to have been introduced to the town in such a
way was unpardonable. She clucked her tongue. Then
she spoke gently and quietly. “The people here really
are a nice bunch. You'll find that out after you've been
here awhile.“
Slowing their walk down a bit, the “scoundrel” stood in
the middle of the street and stared at the odd couple
as they walked away. Smiling to himself, he wondered
how the girl looked underneath all that mess,
remembering those incredible green eyes and the shiny
copper hair. As though she could read his thoughts,
Julia turned around and gave him one last scathingly
horrible stare. Then with a haughty toss of her head
she continued her walk with Augusta.
Travis lifted his eyebrows in amusement. This certainly
was not how he had planned the day. However, he was
not complaining. He had enjoyed his encounter with
the little hellcat. Pulling his hat down onto his
forehead, he figured he’d get some help with his wagon
and then head on home.
Looking down at his boots, he saw they were caked
with the smelly drying manure. Smiling at the
remembrance of her haughty manner, he took off his
hat and waved it down toward his feet. The pungent
odor wafted up to his nostrils and he breathed out a
curse.
Looking down at his filthy shirt and pants, he decided
that he would stay in town for the night to get a bath
and have his clothes laundered and maybe, just
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maybe, make a visit to Augusta Reiner’s home to make
peace with the tiny hellcat.
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CHAPTER 2
CHAPTER 2
CHAPTER 2
CHAPTER 2
Crossing the street, the women headed for a two-story
house located under some beautiful old Western Pine
trees. Yellow, trimmed with white and surrounded by a
white picket fence, it was the nicest house in the area.
The blue and red wildflowers that grew in abundance
encircled the house like a wreath and it seemed like an
ornament in the otherwise drab and dusty town.
Reaching the covered porch of the house, the large
woman led Julia around the porch to a side door
leading into the kitchen. “The name’s Augusta Reiner,”
Smiling widely, with crinkled eyes, she slapped her
hand into Julia’s and shook it heartily.
“Ju Julia Carwood.” Grimacing in pain, Julia smiled at
the woman all the while thinking her arm would drop
off if the woman didn’t stop soon. Augusta, finally
letting go of Julia’s hand, pulled out a chair and set the
frazzled girl down. Still trembling and uncertain of
anything that had happened to her this day she said a
silent prayer hoping she was correct in trusting this
woman.
Opening up the cold box Augusta brought out a pitcher
of yellow liquid. Crossing to the cupboard, she grabbed
some glasses and poured some for herself and Julia.
Handing one of the glasses to Julia she pulled out a
chair and sat down. Laying her glass on the table, she
tried to put her hair back in order. She began to speak
with hairpins in her mouth. “I hope I’m not being tho
presumpthuous helping you honey, but I thaw what
was happenin out my window and I thust had to jump
in and help. Ith’s my nathure.”
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Taking the pins out of her mouth she continued. “Never
had any kids of my own so I’m a mama to everyone
around here.” Picking up the glass of lemonade, she
swallowed it in one gulp then wiped her mouth with her
apron that looked like it had wiped everything else she
had come into contact with.
“I appreciate you helping me Augusta.” Julia tried not
to move so she wouldn’t make a mess in the nice
house. “I was so scared and embarrassed.” Taking a
drink of the cool lemonade she did not realize how
thirsty she was and emptied the glass herself. Setting
it on the table she felt some strength return. I will
always be in your debt.” Looking down at the floor she
grimaced and then looked up at Augusta. “I’m afraid
I’m getting your house pretty messy though.”
“No harm to it.” Augusta got up and walked out of the
room. When she returned she had a sheet and placed it
on the floor around the girl. “Everything cleans up.
Even good old cow dung!” Slapping her thighs she let
out a wild whoop, chuckled for a few seconds and then
settled down. Throwing her arms out she spoke to Julia
as if she had known her all her life.
“This here’s my home and you’re welcome to it. Let’s
get those clothes off and get you into a bath.
Phew...and none to soon either!” Fanning her arms she
walked across the room to open a window then taking
Julia’s hand, she walked through a doorway leading out
of the kitchen.
Following Augusta down a hallway, Julia observed that
it was lined with painted pictures of Augusta in earlier
days and a big hulking man who looked like a giant
version of Santa Claus. She figured he was her
husband.
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Opening a door to her right, Augusta motioned for Julia
to walk in. She followed Julia into a pleasant room that
looked warm and cozy. “This here’s your room for as
long as you want. I’ll get you a washtub lickety split. I
already had the hot water started. Was planning to
have one myself but you need it more.” Waving her
arms she loudly stated, “Whew yes siree.” Rubbing the
girl’s back she lumbered out of the room to get the tub.
Julia couldn’t wait to get the offending clothes off. Her
rage at that inconsiderate man had not abated. She
was still trembling as she started to undress herself.
Angrily yanking her jacket off she threw it on the floor.
Talking to herself, her voice was low and threatening.
“The nerve of him. He should be off the road.”
Impatiently kicking her shoes off she continued to
grumble. “If I ever see him again, I’ll give him a piece
of my mind.” Tearing her stockings as she huffily pulled
them off she caught her finger in the material and
ripped her fingernail. “Never in my life.” Yanking off
her skirt and petticoats, she finished her undressing.
Sitting down on the bed, she waited for Augusta to
return with the washtub. All of a sudden she started to
laugh. It was probably due to shock and nervousness
but it became uncontrollable.
That is how Augusta found her. A snip of a girl with
manure plastered copper hair, dressed in a corset and
bloomers lying on the floor in a fit of laughter.
Hurriedly setting the water down she lifted her arms in
the air, and raced to the young girl. “Landsakes the
child has become hysterical.” Augusta kneeled down
and picked up Julia who was still in a fit of laughter.
“Here honey let’s get your clothes off and get you into
this tub.”
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Julia was laughing so hard she didn’t even get
embarrassed when Augusta, stripping her naked, set
her in the tub and started pouring hot cleansing water
over her body. When the water started to absorb into
Julia’s skin, she settled into the warmness relishing the
comfort it gave her. Laying her head back onto the rim
of the tub, she closed her eyes and wrapped herself in
the warmth of the warm water.
Recalling the circumstances of her arrival in Mournful
she smiled when she remembered kicking the shins of
the wild man. Her eyes narrowed when she recalled
how self-righteous he seemed, mocking her with that
teasing look of his that drove her crazy.
Her eyes widened at the thought that he had practically
accused her of the accident being her fault. Her fault! If
she ever met him again she would give him a piece of
her mind. Julia believed that free thinking and honest
independence were her best qualities and the scoundrel
could learn something from her!
Seeing him again in her mind she had to admit to
herself, however, that he was handsome. He was so
tall and strong looking; so different from the men she
had met in San Francisco. There hadn’t been many, but
those she knew were concerned with image and
reckless partying, instead of endeavoring to mean
something in this world.
The men she had known were her Uncle Paddy’s
friends. They were black sheep of socially rich families
who had grown up weak and greedy having been given
everything in life, everything but the one thing they
needed, love and nuturing. Paddy had provided that for
some of them and certainly for her.
Recalling the feel of the scoundrel’s body next to hers
as his breath warmly touched upon her cheek. The
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smell of leather and land as her face had touched his
neck. The strength of his arms as he held her. Julia
sank deeper into the water blushing, and feeling guilty
for the sensations she remembered feeling when he
touched areas previously never touched before.
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CHAPTER 3
CHAPTER 3
CHAPTER 3
CHAPTER 3
“Well, well,” Augusta smiled at the very pretty girl who
was standing in the kitchen doorway. Julia was of Irish
descent and her coppery red hair that hung down past
her waist was thick and curly and very shiny. Her
creamy white skin contained very light freckles and
long thick black eyelashes framed her emerald green
eyes.
A full mouth with a hint of a pout seemed to have a
permanent redness to it that made it unnecessary for
her to use any cosmetics. A slightly round face, graced
by a nicely shaped neck and shoulders completed the
picture. Dressed in a white lace collared blouse and a
red and brown plaid jumper that luckily had not gotten
dirty in the fall, she looked young and fresh. Augusta
had seen the body underneath all the prim and proper
attire. Someday a man would consider himself lucky to
caress the beautiful ivory skin and long elegant legs.
“Come and have something to eat child.” Augusta set a
heaping bowl of stew in front of the girl with a spoon
and a big slice of bread covered with butter. Julia did
not realize how hungry she was. She looked at the
stew and started salivating. Diving into the food she
gobbled it down with a frenzy and then asked for some
more. “Mmmm, Augusta, this is delicious.” Mumbling
with her mouth full, she observed the neat and tidy
kitchen painted in a pretty yellow tone which Julia
figured was Augusta’s favorite color.
White crochet curtains,. perfectly starched, covered the
double windows on the wall next to the kitchen table.
Wildflowers adding a homey touch were contained in a
cute little blue tinted Kerr wide mouth jar that
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complimented the wooden hand made high back chairs
accented by blue sitting pads tied on to them.
A wood counter with a pump and sink filled the other
side of the kitchen and cupboards over the counter
held all of Augusta’s cooking supplies. Lying on the
polished wood floor was a brown and blue and white
braided rug that had paled and frayed with age
Everything had it’s place and even though Augusta
looked worse for wear, her house was spotless.
Finishing the picture was a cast iron stove with a
picture of a wood cutter carved into it that added heat
to the room it definitely did not need. Julia noticed that
all the windows were open helping to deflect the heat
from the room that was substantial.
Augusta busying herself with dish washing, watched
the young girl eat. Questions scurried through her
mind as to why this young girl, obviously not from this
area, was in Mournful. When Julia finally finished her
meal, Augusta picked up her apron and wiped her suds
filled hands.
Sitting down with perspiration dotting her face, she
looked at Julia with worried eyes and felt obligated to
question this obviously unseasoned traveler. Laying her
arms across each other on the table she asked, “Child,
what is it that brings you here to this hole in the
ground town?” She took her apron and wiped her face.
“How old are you anyway? You look like you should still
be under your mama’s wings.”
“My mama,” Julia sarcastically drew out the work
mama, “Was too busy to be a mama.” “She had no
time for anyone but herself.”
There was a pause in the conversation. Silence settled
itself between the two women. The sounds of outside
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21
wafted into the room and the chorus of the bird’s songs
filled the atmosphere with their cheery tune. The
breeze that rustled the curtains back and forth gently
caressed the table and chairs with its’ back and for
rhythmic sway. Julia’s memory turned back to an
incident of several weeks preceding her trip to
Mournful.
The image lingered vividly in her mind. Her mother was
reclining on a blue settee creating a scene of tragedy.
Perhaps she was thinking of the character Mimi, she
was re-creating in her rendition of La Boheme. Regally
observing everyone and expecting everyone to observe
her; it was perfect staging.
Julia, sitting stiffly in a high back powder blue Louis the
XIV chair was seated next to her mother. The
conversation, stilted as it was, came back to her with
absolute clarity.
“Julia dear, I know how close you were to your dear
Uncle Paddy.” Her mother busily arranged the curls on
her forehead into a neat frame to accent her clear blue
eyes. Then she continued with feigned grief. “I don’t
know what I would have done without him.”
Patting dry eyes with a delicately embroidered
handkerchief, she began to arrange her clothing so it
was more flattering, fluffing her blue black satin skirt
laying it evenly across the edges of the settee.
Julia had found it difficult to concentrate on the
conversation with her mother because of the
interruptions by people wanting to talk to this famous
woman of the theater. Elizabeth Carwood; talented,
tainted, beautiful acting siren of the stage, was Julia's
mother, in name only.
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22
This was one of the few times they had ever spent time
with each other and without looking at Julia she
continued. “I am not much of a mother you know. I
appreciated Paddy helping me with you.”
“You mean raising me don't you, Mother?”
The underlying tone of her daughter’s voice made
Elizabeth Carwood finally turn her head slowly toward
this stranger of her blood. With narrowed eyes, her
mother regarded her daughter a few seconds. Julia
could tell she felt uncomfortable with the expression
she saw in her daughter’s emerald eyes. Eyes that her
mother had said, reminded her of the first man she had
ever loved. A man that had left her when he knew she
was going to have a child.
There was a slight twitch in Elizabeth’s cheek that
revealed her nervousness. Julia watched impassively as
her mother struggled with a decision that she did not
want to make.
Elizabeth was not a woman to examine her motives in
any intensity. Spoiled from birth, she was used to
having things her own way. It was not unexpected
when she shrugged off the angel of goodness and
replied to her child. “I hope you are not expecting me
to take care of you. I can barely make ends meet as it
is.”
Her mother’s eyes strayed to a handsome gentleman
who was indiscreetly smiling at her. Julia noticed her
mother’s eyes would saucily dart over to him and little
smiles played at her dimpled mouth. Julia looked over
at the man. He was just another dandy ready to latch
on to a famous woman’s egocentric ways. Her mother
would fall in love with love, and then when he proved
to be another wrong choice, she would cast him off as
Soul Cry of the Heart
23
she had cast off everything that was not perfect in her
life.
Her mother focused her attention on Julia once more.
An impatient tone edged her voice suggesting to Julia
she was tiring of this conversation. “I am not getting
any younger dear and parts are not coming as quickly
as they used to. You are welcome to come and live in
my house, but you will have to find some sort of living
with which to support yourself.”
She smiled generously at Julia, but her vacuous eyes
revealed the truth. She would never want her. Reality
struck Julia, bringing along with it an odd feeling.
Peaceful yet frightening. Normally these words were
not used together but they were perfect for how she
felt. Peaceful that she no longer questioned her
mother’s feelings toward her and frightened at what
the future would hold. Drawing from her repertoire of
rejection retorts, she exuded an air of indifference; and
with a shrug of her shoulders she responded to
Elizabeth.
“Thank you mother for your generous offer.” Sarcasm
coated the words from her mouth and this time her
mother reacted as though she did not hear the tone of
her daughter’s voice. Julia breathed in heavily, then
exhaled in frustration. “I have some money left. I will
find a position. You needn’t bother yourself.”
“Well you know best dear.” The relief was evident.
Shaking the wrinkles from her clothes, Elizabeth
Carwood rose to join the wake Allowing herself an
intimacy by patting the girl’s shoulder with her long
and delicately fingered hand her mother tried to
assuage her guilt with an uplifting comment. “You are
an industrious child but if you need my help with any
connections, please let me know.”
Soul Cry of the Heart
24
Julia remembered her mother lingered a few seconds
more. Hesitantly fingering her daughter’s hair, she took
a deep breath, straightened her torso, and started to
leave. An alien emotion made her pause for a moment
glancing down at the girl.
Julia waited as her mother struggled with the decision
one last time. She was not surprised when her
mother’s needs and want's rose above anything else in
life. Elizabeth, with a toss of her head, dismissed the
event as over and gaily entered the group singing
songs for the passing of Paddington O’Reilly Careen.
Noticing her mother had expertly insinuated herself
next to the man who was lewdly admiring her,
forgotten emotions of abandonment and despair
resurged themselves with force. Tearing at her heart,
the waves of anguish would wash over her chest as
though the emotions were eating at her insides,
devouring, changing, and mutating.
Tears threatened to expose her feelings, but she had
learned to take control of them by hardening her heart,
pretending not to care. Soon the control she had
learned to master, would ease the pain, calm the
storm. She would be whole again.
Augusta broke the silence and with a soft sympathetic
voice. “If I’m treading where I’m not suppose to, tell
me, but why didn’t your mama want you? Why I’d
think any woman would be proud to be your mother.”
With her eyes full of gratitude, Julia reached over and
laid her hands on Augusta’s. Thanking Augusta for the
sweet comment, she very quietly she finished her
story. “My mother was nineteen when she had me. My
Grandfather Albert Martin O’Reilly raised my mother
and Uncle Paddy in Ireland. He was very strict and very
religious. Uncle Paddy told me that he and mother
Soul Cry of the Heart
25
were always in trouble because they usually rebelled
against his policies of obedience. When Paddy was 17
and my mother was 15, Grandfather O’Reilly died
leaving the house and money to my uncle and mother,
their parents having died early in the children’s infancy
in a boating accident.”
“Dreaming of coming to America, my mother and uncle
made their dream come true. They sold the house,
took the money and came to San Francisco. Mother
having a burning desire to become an actress, set out
to attain fame and fortune. Joining a theater group that
traveled throughout the world she nourished her
ambition. Uncle Paddy stayed home and spent the
family wealth on parties and a lifestyle of uh;” she
looked at Augusta apologetically, freedom for a better
word.”
“When my mother was nineteen she returned home
much wiser and very pregnant. She had married an
English actor by the name of Marshall Carwood who
promptly deserted her when he found out she was
going to have a me. Overwhelmed by the responsibility
of an infant, my mother did not want me and wanted to
put me up for adoption.”
Augusta eyes widened and she let out an involuntary
gasp.
“My Uncle Paddy would not hear of it so he hired a
nanny and took on the raising of me. Being an
ambitious woman, mother felt the need to do
something more than be a nursemaid. With Paddy’s
help she opened up a very successful theater house in
San Francisco, and left the raising of me to Paddy.
I have had contact with her but only occasionally.
When we do get together, it’s generally on a holiday or
birthday. I think she stays away because she doesn’t
Soul Cry of the Heart
26
want to be reminded of me being a bad part of her life.
When my uncle died, I realized that I must make a life
for myself that is why I have come here to take a
position and make a life for myself. My employer
should be coming to get me in a day or two.”
Augusta noticed a fragile side to Julia as she hung her
head down and kept still. “You’re a young lady all
right.” Augusta said quietly. She took Julia’s small
delicate hands in her big callused ones. “You’ve also
been through a lot. I don’t mean to put vinegar on a
new cut but there are something’s you need to know
before you go gallivanting around this area. Honey, you
don’t know what it takes to make it in this country.”
Looking Julia in the eyes, she said, “This here is hard
living.”
Augusta sighed and with a worried scowl on her face,
released Julia’s hands. She picked up some of the dirty
dishes and walked up to the counter and began
scraping the remains of the food into a tin can. Setting
the dishes into a tub of water, she continued, “Hot in
the summer, freezing cold in the winter.”
Shaking a dirty fork towards Julia she warned her. “The
men here aren’t going to coddle you like your Uncle
Paddy did. A woman here must be tough. She needs to
be self-reliant and able to make it on her own if need
be.”
Finishing with the dishes she put on her glasses and
sat down using her apron to dry her hands. “My
Samuel, God rest his soul, use to say to me, Auggie
I’m glad I married a woman who could take care of
herself. It takes the worry from me. My Samuel and I
were married for 22 years.”
She crossed her arms and leaned back in her chair. “He
was big, tough and to everyone else mean as a
Soul Cry of the Heart
27
wolverine but he couldn’t fool me. He was as soft as
mush inside. Never liked to show his softness except to
me at night. How I miss those nights.”
Augusta got a dreamy far away look in her eyes. Julia
kept quiet allowing Augusta her memories.
Contemplating Augusta’s comments Julia appraised her
situation. Maybe this was going to be hard and maybe
she wouldn’t make it but she was going to try and
nothing was going to stop her. She broke the reverie
by responding to Augusta in a voice strong with
determination. “I am going to make it Augusta. The
O’Reilly people raised me and we don’t give up. Now
let’s forget about the worrying. I’ll help you clean up.”
Getting up out of her chair, she walked up to the sink
and started washing the remnant of the dirty dishes.
Augusta followed her lead and picked up a towel and
started drying them. Admiring the spunk of this girl,
Augusta wondered what her plans were. “Honey, what
are you planning to do with yourself? Your employer
will be inquiring at the hotel about you.”
Not being able to stand the thought of being alone
tonight, Julia looked at Augusta pleadingly. “If it’s OK
with you Augusta, could I spend the night here?”
Augusta delighted with Julia’s request eagerly nodded
her head in agreement. She enjoyed this young girls
company. She made a mental note to send a message
over to the hotel.
“Honey, you are welcome to stay here as long as you
want.” Both women smiled at each other.
It was getting dark as the two women finished chatting
and washing the dishes. Deciding to go into the parlor
to play some cards, Augusta picked up the kerosene
lamp and led Julia into the room. Setting the lamp
Soul Cry of the Heart
28
down on the coffee table, they decided to play a round
of Old Maid when there was a knock on the door. “Now
who would be coming over at this time of night?”
Frowning, making her eyebrows meet at the bridge of
her nose, Augusta lifted her large frame off of the
sagging couch and lumbered to the door.
Julia heard a squeak as the front door opened. Augusta
boomed out a loud “Well, Well” to whoever it was.
Heartily bidding whomever it was to enter. Their voices
became louder as they entered into the living room.
When they turned the corner, Julia jumped up. If she
had been a dog the hairs on her neck would have stood
up straight as an arrow.
“You!” She started to stiffen with outrage that this man
would have the presumption to be coming over to see
her after what he had done. Noticing the girl’s attitude,
and the flushing of her complexion, Augusta tried to
appease the situation. “Now don’t get your dander up,
Julie.” Putting her hands on the man’s shoulders,
Augusta looked at the girl hoping she would be civil.
“He just wants to apologize. At least give the man
that.”
With effrontery plastered on her face, Julia stared at
the man who had made her first day in Mournful an
unforgettable experience. She had prepared a choice
tongue lashing if she ever saw him again, but for some
reason words failed her at the moment.
“Look, he’s even brought you flowers.” Augusta looked
at the flowers and then to her, eagerly nodding, hoping
that her red haired temper would calm down.
“Even scoundrels can be redeemed by a pretty face.”
Travis smiled at Julia in the same mocking way that
she found disconcerting. She didn’t know if he was
making fun of her or not.
Soul Cry of the Heart
29
The smile vanished and with sincerity he said,
“Seriously, I’m so sorry about what happened. I never
meant any harm. I saw you kneeling there and tried to
turn real fast, but it was too sudden; my rig tipped and
the stuff fell out.”
He extended his arm offering her the flowers, but Julia
just stood there staring at him. She couldn’t have
taken the flowers even if she had thought of it,
because her hands kept opening and closing in
nervousness. Her eyes glared at him with suspicion
while her eyebrows rose in skepticism.
Acknowledgment of the flowers being naught, Augusta
trying to redeem the situation took them from the man
and put them in a pretty vase that sat on the coffee
table. The two opponents appraised one another. One
glaring with disdain and prideful hurt and the other
looking quite amused and not a little admiringly.
She was much prettier than he had imagined; young
but sturdy. Fascinated with the way the light danced on
her beautiful red hair, it looked like she had diamonds
embedded in it sparkling and shining and glinting with
color perfectly complimenting her gleaming emerald
eyes.
Her eyes mesmerized him. They were the color of the
Green River that he had seen in the northwest area of
Montana when he was on a hunting trip. Her skin had a
beautiful pink tone to it and he loved the pale brown
freckles that fell softly across the bridge of her nose.
He had to swallow to keep his composure.
Breaking the spell Julia unknowingly betrayed the
picture Travis had conjured in his mind. The
haughtiness in her low pitched sultry voice set him on
edge.
Soul Cry of the Heart
30
“I believe it was unforgivable sir; not so much the
accident,” she eyed him contemptuously, “but you
didn’t have to laugh at me or manhandle me, Mr. um?
Julia looked from him to Augusta.
“Speaking of manners, mine have run down the drain.”
Augusta slapped her hand on her forehead, cleared her
throat and straightened out her apron. “Travis Parnell
this here is Julia Carwood.”
She looked from one to the other and could not
comprehend their thoughts. They stared at each other
in amazement as though frozen with shock.
“Oh, boy,” Travis closed his eyes and groaned.
“Oh no, it’s not possible!” Moaning Julia slumped on
the couch hiding her face in her hands.
Perplexed, Augusta scrutinized two people until she
finally figured it out. Her mouth formed a big O and her
eyes widened, as she dumbfoundedly understood the
reason for their attitudes.
Travis Parnell was the employer Julia was talking
about. It all made sense now. Having two children, his
need for a governess was expedient. Placing an
advertisement he had received a response and had
hired the girl sight unseen. She was expected to arrive
about this time.
Standing in utter amazement, Augusta looked from one
of the e figures to the other, then she let out a deep
loud laugh. “Landsakes.” she cried out. “Isn’t this a
pickle!” Julia and Travis just scowled at each other.
Soul Cry of the Heart
31
CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 4
“Well, isn’t this just funny?” Augusta clapped her
hands together trying to make the best out of a difficult
situation. “You two are going to be working together. I
guess you would have to say it was fated.” She looked
at one face and then another. Neither of them heard
what she had said.
“So you are Julia Carwood?” Travis’s eyes interrogated
her.
“Yes I am.”
“How old are you?”
“Old enough. How old are you?”
“Hell, old enough to see your nothing but a kid.”
“Excuse me. I am nineteen years old and I probably
have more maturity than most people you know.”
Travis eyed her speculatively wondering if he had just
been insulted.
“So you think you can teach my kids?”
“I know I can teach your kids. Didn’t you read my
credentials?” He had, but they sounded way too
experienced for a woman her age.
“Well, I am going to have to think about this. Travis
rubbed his chin. “I didn’t realize how young you were.”,
‘Or how pretty.’ He thought to himself.
“She’s young but strong.” Augusta chimed in hoping to
help.
Julia tested Travis’s patience. Giving him evasive
answers when asked about her past, she couldn’t
understand why it was so important for him to know all
the historical facts about her life when she had sent
Soul Cry of the Heart
32
him a summary of her credentials. So he tried the
conventional questions.
“Can you cook? No use hiring you if you can’t cook.” He
was looking for an out.
“I can cook a steak that will melt in your mouth. I can
read Shakespeare to your children and I could shoot a
nickel through your teeth!” Julia stood in front of him
defiantly with her hands on her hips. Augusta roared
with laughter. Travis looked at her skeptically but
somehow, he knew she wasn’t lying. The steak part
was the deciding factor.
“Well, I suppose I could try you out. But if it doesn’t
work, I will pay your way back home or you can stay
here with Augusta. Does that sound fair?”
“Sure,” Julia stuck her hand out to shake the bargain.
“I have to have time to try you out also. I may not like
working for you.” Travis looked at her as though she
was crazy. Not wanting to get into another argument
he shut his mouth and shook his head.
Julia put her hand to her mouth and yawned. “Well it
will be a busy day tomorrow so I guess I will retire.
Goodnight Augusta. Thank you for everything.
Goodnight Mr. Parnell. Thanks for the ah, great
introduction.” Laughing she walked out of the room.
“Can you believe that girl?” Travis asked Augusta. “I
must be crazy to be hiring her.”
Travis sat next to his friend on her lumpy couch while
Augusta filled him in with what she knew about the
girl. She begged him to be patient with Julia. After all
she had been through and with so many changes in her
life Augusta, was figuring she needed some time to
adjust. “Maybe she’s just on edge, Trav. It was a long
Soul Cry of the Heart
33
trip. I don’t think she has had a chance to show you
who she really is.”
“Hmmph,” Travis, rubbed his hands through his hair. “I
saw and heard enough of her today to put her on the
next stagecoach to anywhere. Feel the lump on my leg
if you think she’s not a hellcat!” He started to pull up
his pant leg.
“Travis, I don’t need to see any lump.” Augusta said
laughing lightly. “Look, you’ve sent her money. She’s
indebted to you already so why not make the best of it.
Try her for a week or two and then if she doesn’t work
out, bring her back here and I’ll see what I can do for
the girl.”
“Well,” Travis looked doubtful. “I hope we make it
home in one piece. You’re gonna feel pretty bad
Auggie, if you hear that we became a couple of vulture
feasts because we killed each other on the way to my
place.”
Augusta chuckled and looked at him amused. She
nodded her head as if she was agreeing with him, but
she was thinking, hoping, that somehow the opposite
would happen and the two of them would make peace
and everything would work out. Though the two didn’t
know yet, their emotions were fighting the oldest battle
on earth, instant attraction.
Succumbing to exhaustion, Travis and Augusta retired
to their respective rooms and tried to get some sleep.
Travis spent most of the night wondering what had
possessed him to hire this girl sight unseen. Fighting
with the desire to send her back he relented. After
what little Augusta had told him there was nothing to
send her back to. He knew what happened to women
alone and abandoned and he was not going to be
responsible for that.
Soul Cry of the Heart
34
There was also something else. Julia intrigued him. He
felt alive in her presence and he hadn’t felt this alive
since he could remember. She touched a spot in him
he thought he had lost. Spirited to the point of being a
pain in the butt, he figured he was the boss and setting
her straight would get her going in the right direction.
‘Yes,’ he thought. ‘A firm hand is what she needs.’
Finally accepting the decision, he relaxed and fell into a
deep and dreamfilled sleep.
The dream began as it always did. He was walking at
night in a field of wildflowers. The perfumed air
embraced him with familiar scents that caused him to
feel sheltered and safe.
Fog silently oozing down past the mountaintops began
to creep into the moonlit air and thickened the
atmosphere with eerie ghostliness. He could barely see
in front of him. Suddenly a figure broke through the
fog and began walking toward him.
He could not distinguish the facial features but he knew
who it was. There was an intimacy of knowledge in the
way the figure walked and held itself. It was then that
he could distinguish her characteristics not because he
could see them but because his memory knew the
being as well as he knew how to breathe, eat or think.
Caught by a breeze, wispy blonde hair flew around her
delicately featured face. Her mouth moved as if she
wanted to say something to him but all he could hear
was a sound like the wind, only more mournful and
persistent. It sounded like she was calling out his name
but he couldn’t be sure.
Straining to hear what she wanted to say, he called out
to her to come closer. “Suzanne. Is that you? Come
closer.” She raised her arms out to him as though she
to wanted to get closer to communicate with him but
Soul Cry of the Heart
35
she never moved. Attempting to reach her he ran
forward only to find himself stuck in a bog.
Struggling to lift his legs out of the mud, he tried to
find a foothold to pull himself out but he just kept
sliding deeper and deeper until his head was ready to
go under. She stood there with her arms outstretched
still calling out to him in wails of unintelligible
language. The more he struggled, the farther down he
slipped.
Making one last attempt to pull himself out of the
muck, he labored with all his might, which caused him
to slip further into the mud. He was up to his chin now.
Then blackness and the feeling of being trapped and
tightly wrapped. Not being able to move, panic set in
and he tried to scream. He was unable to breathe. He
felt himself choking, helpless and then he started to
free-fall into a chasm of nothingness.
Travis woke up with a jerk. Covered with sweat, he
breathed deeply trying to catch his breath. In a panic,
he struggled to untangle himself out of his covers.
Thrashing his arms and legs he finally freed the tangled
blankets from his head and arms. Still breathing
heavily, he sat unmoving willing himself to calm down.
Awakening out of the haze of his dream he wearily put
his head in his hands wondering if he would ever stop
having this nightmare. His friend Chief Wise Eagle told
him when he knew what the spirit was saying to him
the dream would stop. He silently prayed that the spirit
would tell him quickly. Was it Suzanne coming back
from the grave to speak with him?
Born into a prominent family Suzanne Amanda Parnell
was Travis’s deceased wife. The two young people
acquainted themselves at Suzanne’s coming out party.
Hating the fluff and pomp of the occasion, they both
Soul Cry of the Heart
36
chose the library to sequester themselves to get away
from the hubbub. Realizing they had chosen the same
refuge, they started an animated conversation of each
one’s opinions of life. Finding they had much in
common, they fell in love and when Travis decided to
move west, Suzanne accompanied him in a much
talked about and scandalized elopement.
Suzanne and Travis complimented each other and their
toil and work formed the basis of Travis’s business
along with the two beautiful children that they both
would look at and thank God for.
Suzanne was pregnant with their third child when she
started having problems breathing. The only licensed
doctor was half a day away. With her legs swelling
beyond belief, by the time the doctor arrived, Suzanne
suffered a massive stroke and died.
The doctor explained to a distraught Travis that some
women get this malady through pregnancy, but it was
no comfort to him. He blamed himself for the tragedy;
for bringing her somewhere she couldn’t get the proper
medical care.
Devastated and alone, he grieved terribly, but because
of the children he knew he must go on. It had been
almost a year now and the children needed some
teaching along with a woman’s touch. Picking himself
up from the stupor of grief, he forced himself to live
again in whatever way he could. Every day tortured
him with the guilt he felt for his wife’s death.
~~~
Morning came sooner than anyone wanted.
“Morning.” Travis trudged into the kitchen looking like
he had chased the demons of hell last night.”
Soul Cry of the Heart
37
“Landsakes Trav, what got into you last night?”
Augusta set a cup of hot coffee before him.
“Just had a hard time getting to sleep. I don’t know
Augusta. I have a bad feeling about this. She’s so
young and so...”
“Pretty?” Augusta chimed in. “Honey, just let the chips
fall where they may. She’s nineteen years old. You’ll
probably have her on your hands for six months before
some young man asks for her hand in marriage. She’s
real gold Trav.”
“Yeah fool’s gold. When her mouth opens, all the men
will run the other way.” He lifted the cup of coffee to
his mouth. “Where is the hellcat anyway?”
“She’s taking her clothes off the wash-line. We spent
some time washing the dirt off them from your near
death incident. Boy oh boy, I bet the town is still
chuckling about that.” They both started laughing when
there was a knock on the door.
“Travis?” The liltingly sweet voice came drifting
through the house. It was Marla Pearson, Travis’s
sometimes girlfriend. “Ah there you are.” She bounded
into the kitchen all fluffed and silked in her newest
dress.
“You know Marla,” Augusta said dryly. “Most people
knock before they enter into someone’s house.” Her
lips were set and pinchy as if a bad taste had just
invaded her mouth.
“Dear me Augusta. We’re old friends. What do I need
to knock for? That’s for newlyweds and families.” She
flounced over to Travis. “Dear me honey. I heard about
yesterday. Are you all right? It’s all over town dear and
I must say after what I have heard I think she is
crazy!”
Soul Cry of the Heart
38
“Ah she’s ok, Marla. She’s just young. She’ll be ok once
I show her the ropes.” Travis looked over at Augusta
who was looking at Marla with undisguised disgust. “I
told her I’d try her out and if it doesn’t work she will be
sent home.”
“Show her the ropes?” Marla raised her perfectly
shaped eyebrows in question. “Show her the ropes
about what dear?” Augusta chimed in.
“You’ll never guess Marla. This girl, well she’s the one
Travis hired for the governess position. Can you beat
that?” Augusta slapped Marla on the back and let out a
whoop. Marla winced in pain and was going to reproach
the woman in anger when she thought better of it and
tried another angle. She was not thrilled of having a
woman in Travis’s home.
“Well Travis, I think the children would better be
educated in a private school. They’d get the best
there.”
“They’ll get the best from me.” Julia had heard the tail
end of their conversation and she did like what she
heard. “I was taught and excelled in private schools.
Travis’s children will get the same education from me
as a private school and still be able to be home with
their father.”
“Well little girl, you don’t seem to be worse for wear
being away from home.” Marla eyed the girl to
evaluate her competition. Augusta jumped in to hold
off a catfight.
“Julia, I’d like you to meet Marla Pearson. She runs the
mercantile here and is an old friend of Travis’s and
mine. Marla, Julia Carwood.” The air between the two
women was pungent with inquiry. Each one wanting to
Soul Cry of the Heart
39
know where they would stand in Travis’s view of
things.
“Well Travis, honey this girl looks too young to be a
wise woman of education.” Marla sided up to him
caressing his arms with her finely polished hands; “You
were going to come and visit me before you left.
Weren’t you sugar?”
“Well, actually,” Travis set down his coffee cup, “I
didn’t even plan to stay the night, I was going to sell
the manure to the feed store but had the accident.
Then I found out that Miss Carwood here is the woman
I hired as my governess so I thought we should get
acquainted before we made the long trip home.”
Marla pouted. “Well I guess I wasn’t on the visit plan
then was I?” “Seems you have more important things
to worry about.” Haughtily looking Julia up and down
she then looked over at Travis. Her smile was sweet
but her eyes were dangerous. “Well sugar, when you
have time, come and visit me. I am longing for one of
your visits dear, they are always so pleasing.” With one
long provocative look she turned and left the room.
The door quietly closed a few seconds later.
In the chilly blanket of dawn’s haze, which still clung to
the early morning, Augusta watched Travis and Julia as
they boarded the flatbed wagon. Travis checking the
luggage on the wagon making sure it was secure,
waved good-bye to Augusta.
Sitting himself next to Julia, he competently took the
reins and whistled for the horses to move. Looking like
two people being led to the slaughter, they sat stiffly
next to one another. Augusta called out to them to be
careful.
Soul Cry of the Heart
40
Seeing how Travis admired Julia’s physical beauty she
knew when a man felt that way he’d protect his charge
no matter what the consequences. It would be good for
Travis to have a woman around the house. He’d been
alone too long.
Well, not exactly alone with Marla Pearson his “friend.”
However, he needed the company of a lady who could
challenge him and raise his standards. She knew that
Julia was an innocent but the girl was different. There
was something about her but she couldn’t quite figure
it out. The girl had a knack for survival.
Most woman in her position would have tried to marry
someone, become a maid or worse not knowing
anything better, but Julia had taken a chance and
looked upon it as being a move to better things.
Augusta admired that.
She figured that between the two of them they would
rub against each other until the rough spots wore down
and become friends or she’d get word that a big
murder trial was about to be heard in the sheriff’s
building. Chuckling to herself she wondered if it would
amount to anything, but judging the way they were
looking at each other, or not looking at each other, she
had her doubts.
She watched them as their wagon faded into the
horizon. As she was walking back to her house she
mumbled a prayer to ensure their safekeeping.
“Dear God don’t let them kill each other before they
get home.” She could not help laughing at the way
they looked as they drove off. “Two peas in a pod I
would say!”
As Travis and Julia passed the mercantile, neither one
noticed the lacy white curtain being drawn back and
Soul Cry of the Heart
41
the expression of anger nor jealousy on the face that
peered out the window.
Soul Cry of the Heart
42
CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 5
They rode in silence for about a half an hour and Julia
could stand the silence no longer. Trying to make
conversation she turned to Travis and asked,
“Where do you live Mr. Parnell? How far is it?”
“A ways.” Squinting against the sun he said no more.
“A ways,” Julia made an exaggerated face. “What does
that mean? A little way or a long way?” She was always
one to exasperate others with questions.
“Long enough way for you to think what you’re doing
here, take in the scenery and let a man think.” Not
looking at her Travis, exasperated, squirmed in his seat
trying to understand why he had let this young smart
mouthed girl become his children’s governess.
“You know,” Julia sensed his exasperation. “If you don’t
want me to do this job you can take me back to
Augusta’s and we can call the whole thing off.” Yanking
her bonnet off of her head her thick red hair fell loose
and blew in the wind as they rode.
Travis couldn’t resist surreptitiously stealing a look at
her marveling at the way her hair sparkled in the
sunshine. Inadvertently his eyes lowered to her breasts
that strained against the silk blouse she was wearing.
Clasping her hands in front of her she reminded him of
a china doll his sisters used to leave sitting on the bed.
It was a pretty doll, maybe even beautiful but too
delicate to play with. Sarcasm in her voice broke his
reverie,
“I’ll pay you back somehow for the money I’ve already
spent, although if you were fair, you would take some
money off that debt for the clothes you destroyed
Soul Cry of the Heart
43
yesterday.” Looking at her as though she was crazy,
Travis thought ‘Ain’t that just like a woman. She could
wash those clothes and they’d be okay for where she
was going. As for the hat, it was too dandy a thing
anyway. A woman with that kind of hair shouldn’t wear
a hat.’ He shook his head and shrugged his shoulders.
“Nope.” He said matter of factly. “You’re going to work
off my investment.”
Gazing ahead, setting his chin a certain way, let Julia
know he meant business. Turning to him, she was
going to demand that he take her back to Augusta’s
but seeing his face she kept her mouth shut. What
could she do? According to Augusta, there were no jobs
in Mournful and Julia had very little money. A frown
contorted her features. Her back was against a wall.
Crossing her arms in front of her, she determinedly
kept her eyes staring ahead.
All around her were wide open spaces and miles and
miles of green lush meadows covered with wildflowers
dotting the landscape with bright yellows, purples and
whites. Timber filled mountains encircled the
landscape. Shrouded with a coral haze from the sunrise
they looked warm and inviting. The faraway snow
capped mountain ranges majestically reached to the
sky.
It was very early in the morning just entering the full
brightness of the day, but judging by the heat that the
sun was already producing, it would be a warm one.
They continued riding in silence mesmerized by the
sounds of the wilderness. Birdcalls, insect noises and
breezes’ sifting through the higher grass along with the
noise of the cart and the occasional snorts of the
horses lulled them into a comfortable silence.
Soul Cry of the Heart
44
They had traveled about two miles when Travis made a
turn past some mountain cliffs they had been
approaching. A scene that brought a gasp from Julia
came into view. She had never seen such beauty in her
life.
Nestled among the mountains was a beautiful lake.
Clear, blue and looking like a shimmering wind blown
piece of silk it claimed its position among the mountain
peaks and big tall pines. Wildflowers larger than she
had seen previously circled the lake like a bride’s
wreath. Mirrored in the transparent water were wisps
of clouds floating lazily in the robin’s egg sky. Julia
could not contain herself.
“Mr. Parnell, I never knew such beauty existed. It
almost takes my breath away. Please could we stop
and just relish this for a few minutes?”
“Sure,” he said. Never taking this scenery for granted;
Travis’s heart skipped a beat at the beauty of the place
he called home. He pulled the reins on the horses and
brought them to a halt.
Julia jumped off the wagon before Travis could help her
down. She was so stir crazy that she forgot her
decorum and raced to the lake. Running to the lake like
a young child, her hair flew back and forth as she ran
lightly over the meadow.
Travis who had been ready to help her down put his
hands on his hips and chuckled to himself. Following
her came to the edge of the lake. He found a flower he
liked and picked it.
“How beautiful this land is, Mr. Parnell. You’re
descriptions were no exaggeration.” Julia splashed
some water on her face and arms. It was cool and
refreshing. Coming up behind her, Travis handed her a
Soul Cry of the Heart
45
pretty purple wildflower. Smiling at him she took the
flower.
Travis noticed that when Julia smiled she had two cute
dimples that helped accentuated her beautiful face. He
could see he had pleased her. It was a gesture of
friendship; especially after all they had been through.
Julia sat on a rock next to the water and breathed in
the perfume of the flowers and permeated her brain
with the scene before her.
“The Indians call it the Lake of Good Tears.” Travis sat
down next to her. “There’s an old Indian legend that
was told to me when I first came up here.” He looked
at her questioningly. “Would you like to hear it?”
Julia loved the way Travis spoke. When he wasn’t
angry, he had a way of speaking as though every word
he said was a careful thought spoken with authority
and wisdom. Not wanting to get into the wagon yet
Julia played for time.
“Yes Mr. Parnell, please tell me.” Searching for a more
comfortable place to rest she found a thick carpet of
grass and settled in for the story. Travis looked out at
the beautiful mountain peaks and began his narration.
“A band of Indians came to a beautiful territory which
was filled with game, buffalo, fruits and vegetables. It
had everything they would ever need. Sheltered from
the weather by some magnificent mountain ridges, the
perfume created by the fragrant flowers in the valley
clung to everything around them.
The people believed it was the place the Great Spirit
had prepared for them but they discovered that the
lake that would provide them the needed water was
not clean. The water was thick with an ugly green
sludge. An unpleasant smell emanated from it.
Soul Cry of the Heart
46
The chief of the people was called Clear Eyes of the
Wolf. Sending scouts to see if there were any other
water sources nearby, Clear Eyes hoped they would
find a water source. The braves returned to him and
told him that a large body of water existed about a
mile away but another tribe led by the renown cruel
chief Tecumaha claimed it. They would not let the
tribe move near it unless they offered a good trade.
Chief Clear Eyes of the Wolf had a daughter. A
beautiful Indian maiden called Lomala. Lomala was
Chief Clear Eye’s pride and joy. Tall, proud and
shapely, Lomala had known only one love that had lost
his life during a war party. Vowing never to marry
again, she wanted to live with his memory for the rest
of her days. She was a unique woman who had great
intuition and wisdom. She was the joy of the people.
Being the Chief, Clear Eyes of the Wolf had to make
decisions that affected and helped all the people of his
tribe. Some of those decisions were difficult. As Chief,
he knew he could not please everyone. He decided to
invite Tecumaha to a pow-wow to see what trade they
could make.
Techumaha agreed and upon arriving in the camp, he
looked upon Lomala who was sitting next to her father.
Tecumaha had never seen such a beautiful woman.
Desire forged itself in the cruel man’s greedy eyes and
a foreboding crept into Chief Clear Eye’s heart.
When the two men left for the Chief’s lodge to talk of a
alliance, Tecumaha made it clear to Clear Eyes of the
Wolf that the only trade he would consider would be
the chief’s daughter’s hand in marraige. Chief Clear
Eyes of the Wolf tried everything he could think of to
dissuade Tecumaha to change his mind, but in the end
he had to think of his people. Broken hearted and filled
Soul Cry of the Heart
47
with grief, the old chief promised Lomala to Tecumaha.
The marraige was arranged to take place in one moon’s
time.
Upon hearing of the arrangement, Lomala ran from the
village and fell at the banks of the muddy lake and
cried out with all her heart.
“Oh Great Spirit, please hear me. I don’t want to marry
this man. I love you and my father only. Please help
me.” Looking into a clearer part of the water she saw a
figure standing behind her. Turning suddenly, she saw
it was the Great Spirit. His face was filled with
compassion and love for her.”
“My child," He held out his hands to her and she
clasped them as he pulled her up. “Do you love me?”
“Yes Great Spirit, besides my father I love only you.”
Looking into the depths of her soul he asked,
“Do you love your people?”
Lowering her head her tears touched his hands. She
knew what he wanted. She knew that if she really
loved Him she must love all people with the same love
she professed to Him and no matter what her
memories or desires were they could not come in
between Him and her people.
“Yes Great Spirit.” Her heart grew heavy with the sobs
that wanted to explode from her. A long pause held
them together.
“Yes Great Spirit.” Saying it again quietly with more
conviction."
“Thank you my child for your love.”
The Great Spirit transfigured into a cloud but as he
ascended to the sky, Lomala heard something fall into
Soul Cry of the Heart
48
the water. Looking down to see what it was she saw
that the water was forming ripples from the center.
From the ripples a bright light slowly expanded out
from the center of the water. Standing there with her
mouth open in shock Lomala saw the water was
becoming pure as crystal. A voice from heaven called
down to her.
“Lomala, I have washed the lake with your tears. The
pureness of your love has made the water clean. This
water will no longer be impure. Because of your
willingness to love unselfishly, this water will always be
known as the Lake of Good Tears. You will be a legend
among your people and as long as you live they will
always be safe.”
Running home to her father’s arms Lomala told him all
that had happened. The chief sent some braves to the
lake to confirm her story. When they returned, they
informed the chief that Lomala's story was true.
Relieved, Clear Eyes of the Wolf knew he would have to
face Techumaha. He was afraid of what Techumaha
might do because he knew of the man’s obsessive
desires.
Upon hearing the story, Techumaha was angry but
because of the spirit legend that came out of her
experience, no one dared to attack her or her people,
as they believed she had special powers.
Lomala stayed with her tribe and became a holy
woman. Bestowed upon her was the name Spirit
Mother. People from all over the land would come and
have her place blessings upon their children.
Living many years beyond human time she gave hope
to her tribe. When she died the people buried her by
the lake and believed that is why the lake stays pure
Soul Cry of the Heart
49
and clean. The people believe that the beautiful flowers
that grow here are the seeds of goodness that she
threw down from heaven after she died.
Mesmerized by the story, Julia breathed in deeply and
dreamily said,
“I can believe it. The flowers are among the most
beautiful I’ve ever seen.” Smiling at Travis she finally
forgave him for his folly.
“Friends now?” Travis held his hand out to her. Julia
looked into those wonderfully tender eyes. Feeling her
heart melt, she smiled at him. There was something
about this man that Julia could not deny. Her attraction
to him was overpowering.
She didn’t know him but her body urged her to nestle
into his big wide chest so that he would put his strong
arms around her. It was such a powerful attraction;
she could almost feel how she would feel in his arms.
Swallowing and licking her lips she nodded her head
and replied. “Yes friends.” Putting her hands into his,
they walked up to the wagon and Travis helped her up.
Riding a few minutes more, Julia detected a fever of
anticipation that possessed him. Quietly with
expectation, Travis commented that they were almost
home. Shaking the reins he nudged the horses to trot a
little faster.
Turning eastward, they came on to another meadow,
which in the distance held a large log cabin. A corral
and big red barn sat next to it. Enormous fir trees
nestled themselves next to the buildings and two
children, a boy and a girl, were playing with a dog in
the front yard.
Majestic mountains, which bordered Travis’s land,
provided a barrier from the alternating weather that
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50
could be a problem in this area. The lake seen from the
house seemed like a gigantic mirror that reflected the
sun. To the left of the house was a tremendous forest
of timber.
Travis made his living cutting timber and selling it to
Mournful and the surrounding bigger city areas.
Considered one of the most eligible bachelors in the
region, there were many ladies who would have
considered themselves lucky if he would have looked
their way.
The most eligible bachelor in Montana was from the
Parnell family of Boston. Generations ruled these
shipping people. The family fortune was made sending
cargo ships to the Old World and buying supplies that
were needed for this new one. Travis grew up in an
environment with governess’ and fancy schools. Hating
everything about the social structure of the rich, he
blamed money on his parent’s neglect of him and his
sisters.
His mother and father, more concerned with fancy
parties and social obligations had regarded their
children especially the eldest son, as heirs to a
kingdom. Duty was their baby’s milk. When they were
old enough, boarding schools for the blessed became
their mentor.
Coming home only on the holidays, Travis spent lonely
hours fantasizing about Jeremiah Johnson, Lewis and
Clark and the American Wilderness. Promising himself
one day he would see the country that thrilled his heart
and make it his home, he held on to his dream for
many years through many obstacles. Obeying his
family’s wishes, he majored in business law and
graduated from Yale University Law School.
Soul Cry of the Heart
51
It was after he graduated that he decided to tell his
family of his plans. Their response saddened him.
Laughing at him, they informed him that as their eldest
son, it was his duty to take on the family enterprise.
“My son,” his father put a hand on his shoulder. “We
have invested much time and money training you for
your destiny. What is this foolishness? All the Parnell
men have taken their rightful place in this family. I will
not hear of any more of this foolishness.”
Travis did try to honor his family by working for them
for a few months, but the desire to see other sights
was too strong. Taking Suzanne and what money he
had saved, he set out to see the world. Arriving in
Colorado he sent a wire to his parents telling them of
his whereabouts.
He received a reply from them that forced him to make
a decision that changed his life. Threatened with
disinheritance unless he returned home, Travis made a
choice that broke the bonds between him and his
family. The desire to explore the possibilities of making
his own dreams come true overrode everything in his
life.
He wrote his family informing them of his decision,
trying to convey what he felt the best way he could. He
did not want to be part of a city or its citified ways.
Travis wanted the peace and beauty of the wilderness.
It was his comfort and his love.
His parents wrote back with a reply that broke his
heart. He was disinherited, no longer considered part
of the family. Travis accepted the judgement but often
wondered if he had known what the future held, if it
would have changed his mind. He didn’t let himself
peruse that question too often.
Soul Cry of the Heart
52
Looking at Julia, he wondered if he was in his right
mind. He should have interviewed her at his expense
before having her come all this way. He did not want to
be responsible for this woman’s death also. He had
pondered over the advertisement and had expected to
receive more replies. Julia’s had been the only one.
Putting an advertisement in some of the better
newspapers in the bigger cities of the United States, he
was looking for someone who could give his children an
advanced education but who also would be happy
settling for several years in the remote wilderness area
of Montana. Julia was so young. Yet there was
something about her. He just couldn’t put his finger on
it.
“Well here we are.” Pulling in the reins, Travis set the
brake. Julia jumped off the flatbed and stretched her
arms up to the sky.
Yawning and stretching heartily, Julia wearily said, ”I
never want to sit again for awhile. I feel like I’ve been
sitting for years.”
Travis laughingly replied to her as he gazed at his
children.
“I wouldn’t worry about that.” He nodded his head
toward them. “With those two there won’t be much
sitting time available.”
The children raced up to Travis jumping all over him.
“Pa, Pa.” They tumbled over each other to get to his
hug first. “Did you bring us something?”
“Mavis I get to get hugged first.” The boy who looked
just like Travis pushed her away.
Soul Cry of the Heart
53
“No David, I want huggie too.” The little girl with rosy
cheeks and curly blonde hair stood there and started
crying.
“Now listen you two,” Travis picked them both up in his
big strong arms. “There’s enough of me to hug you
both at the same time.” Smiling again the children
focused their attention on the newcomer.
“Papa who that?” The little girl with a thumb in her
mouth nestled closer to her pa, looking wide-eyed at
the pretty lady with the red hair.
“She is our new houselady.” Julia rolled her eyes at
Travis.
“Yes children, I’m your new houselady.” She
sarcastically emphasized the last word all the while
smiling at the children.
Travis’s gaze turned threatening as she saw his mouth
tighten in controlled anger. Then he turned his
attention to an older man who, coming out of the
cabin, was walking up to the group.
“I wondered what was going on here.” A wiry tough
looking man came walking toward them. He looked
very out of place wearing his Stetson and an apron that
had flowers etched on the front of it. Putting an arm on
Travis’s shoulder he greeted the group.
“Howdy Trav.” He nodded his head towards Julia in
greeting. “Howdy Miss. Them little ones sure miss ya
when you’re gone Trav.”
“Thanks for looking after them Candy.” Travis turned to
Julia.
“Candy I’d like you to meet the new governess Julia
Carwood.” Gazing over at Julia, his eyebrow lifted with
a questioning look to see if she liked this title better
Soul Cry of the Heart
54
than the last one. Evidently she did. There was no
sarcastic answer this time.
“Nice to meet you Candy.” The tough cowhand looked
from her to Travis and got a big smile on his face.
“Well Trav, you sure know how to pick em. Ma’am you
watch this hard headed scally wag. If he ever gives you
any trouble you just let me know. I’m around here a lot
being the cook for the rapscallions that work here.”
Winking at Travis, he took off the apron he was
wearing and handed it to him.
“Well I’d better be moseying off now. I’m going to ride
into Mournful Trav. Need to get some supplies. I’ll be
back tonight.” Tipping his hat to Julia he said. “Nice
meeting you Miss Julia.” The four of them watched him
mount his horse and ride off.
Setting kids down to get acquainted with Julia; Travis
went to take care of the wagon. Driving it to the barn,
he unhitched the horses and released them into the
corral. They pranced around in happy relaxation.
“You going to be our new teacher?” David asked with
the bluntness that he obviously had inherited from his
father.
“Yes,” replied Julia. “I’m going to try.” She paused and
smiled at the boy when she saw his dubious look. “I
will need you to help me. There will be so much for me
to learn. Think you can do that?” Julia looked down at
the boy who wanted so much to be a man.
“Suppose so,” he said very proudly, “I’ve just turned
six and I’m real strong.” Lifting up his arm he flexed it
with such concentration his tongue slid to the side of
his mouth. “Look at my muscles.” With a feigned look
of amazement, Julia put her hands on her face.
Soul Cry of the Heart
55
“I’ve never seen such muscles on a boy of your age.
You will be a great help to me.” David beamed. Pushing
his sister forward he introduced her to Julia.
“This is my sister Mavis. She’s three and a girl.” Julia
detected a note of derision in his voice.
“Well just because she is a girl does not mean she isn’t
something special. We are all special in our own way
and the longer we know each other the more special
we are going to become.” Mavis looked at Julia and
decided she liked her.
“You’re pweety.” She said as she walked up to Julia
and put her tiny little hand in Julia’s.
Interrupted in their conversation by Mud the children’s
dog, they all moved out of the way as he ran through
them yelping and howling after an imaginary bird or
rodent. Everyone laughed at the dog’s antics.
“He’s nuts,” David said laughing.
“Yeah, nuts,” Mavis mimicked.
“Shall we go into the house?”
They turned at Travis’s voice. Mavis and David took
Julia’s hands and started to pull her towards the house
arguing whose room she was going to see first.
Skimming her eyes over the inside of the house, Julia
thought it was very comfortable looking. It had a main
living area, built off of the kitchen. Connecting the
living area and the kitchen was a two-sided fireplace.
Two bedrooms located off to the side of the living area
were down a big hallway that curved to the left of the
living room. In the middle of the living room was a
spiral staircase that led to the upper bedrooms that the
children slept in. Next to their room was another small
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56
room for company that was going to become Julia’s
room.
In the backyard was a small guesthouse that Candy
used if there wasn’t company. This was the original
house Travis and Suzanne had lived in when they first
came to Montana. Well planned and comfortably rustic,
the main house was a house built for family life.
It was a little after noon and the atmosphere was
getting warm and muggy. The children wanted a little
time with their pa so Julia began exploring the grounds
while Travis amused the children. They played in a tree
fort he had built for them. Climbing up the fort and
swinging from a rope that hung from a sycamore tree
located in the backyard, Julia’s heart would skip a beat
when she saw David jump onto the rope and swing out
yelling at the top of his lungs.
She noticed that Travis did not exactly join the children
in the play but stood observing them. It seemed like
his mind was on other things than on his kids. They
kept begging him to join them but he would smile and
say he was happy just to watch them. Julia sighed and
knew one day he would regret not having spent more
time with them.
Continuing her observation of the area, she saw that
extending from the sycamore tree was a path that led
to the forested area. Julia gazed with wonder at the
beautiful valley. Taking in a deep breath of the pine
and wildflower smells she felt peace flood her senses.
She had never felt this way in San Francisco. It was a
city of life full of the hustle and bustle of people
anxious to be on their way. It was a city full of people
who were hurtful and rude. Expectation filled her soul
as she thought of this new beginning.
Soul Cry of the Heart
57
“So what do you think?” Jumping at the interruption of
her peaceful state Julia threw her hand on her heart.
Travis walked up beside her.
“It’s absolutely beautiful.” Turning towards him, she
drank in his form. Tall and burly chested, with long and
muscled legs, he had an aura of strength and
gentleness. His hair was auburn, thick and curly. He
wore it down to his shoulders and she remembered the
small tendrils of curls that would occasionally fall onto
his forehead giving him a younger look then he actually
was.
Studying him for a moment, she wondered what it was
that made him so attractive. She finally decided it was
his eyes that were the most attractive. They were a
deep rich brown with flexes of black and gold. His nose
was regal and his mouth while not as full as Julia’s was
a mouth that seemed to signify strength and spoke of a
soft nature.
Julia smelled the odor of his suede coat, mixed in with
the smell of horses, and she found herself again
surprised at the emotions she was feeling. This man
could make her angry as a bothered bee, laughing at
her covered with cow droppings. This was also a man
who could give her aa beautiful flower on a
mountainside, and tell her a lovely story weaved from
Indian legend. Once she thought she could never
forgive him, now looking at her employer she could
only think how pleasant it was going to be to work with
him. Oddly enough she felt like she had known him for
a long time. There was a comfortable feeling being with
him. She again had the fanciful thought that if he put
his arms around her, there would be no
embarrassment because it was almost as if she
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58
belonged there. Brushing off her vain imagination, she
addressed him in a business like manner.
“Well Mr. Parnell, maybe we better get down to
business.” “What are my duties?” Travis was gazing out
at the scenery. Quietly he spoke to her.
“Call me Travis.” Turning to her he plucked a fly away
hair off of her face. She shivered at his touch. There
was something about the way he looked at her that
made her weak kneed and uncomfortable. Maybe it
was the way his eyes seemed to pierce through her as
though he were invading her soul, or the smile that
lifted up one corner of his mouth more than the other.
She couldn’t quite figure it out.
“How is it you wanted to come out here? You don’t look
like a be in the country hard life woman to me.”
“What does it matter?” Turning from him she started to
put her defenses up, along with that rebellious chin of
hers. She didn’t like being questioned, especially about
her past. “I’m here, that’s all that matters.” Looking at
back at him he could see the defensiveness in her
eyes, in the tilt of her head. He could also see the hurt
in her eyes.
“It matters to me.” Travis figured it was now time to
set up the ground rules. His eyes narrowed to a slit and
she could see the seriousness set in his face lines.
Gently but firmly he spoke to her.
“You’re gonna be with my children and live in my
house. I have a right to know why you came here. I
don’t see why you are so reticent about telling me
about your past! As long as you do the job, that’s all I
want. I do want to know that you aren’t an ax murder
or something.”
Soul Cry of the Heart
59
He smiled down at her but kept his eyes serious. He
didn’t want to seem to hard on her and to tell the
truth, some of what he did was because he liked being
near her, to look at her.
Her eyes tantalized him. Travis had never seen eyes
the color of emeralds before. Seeing a slight change of
color occur in her eyes whenever she got angry, he
figured she must have been real angry right now
because they were about as pale as they could get.
This was a woman who did not like being pinned to the
wall. Travis considered it a challenge.
“If you didn’t think I would be right for your children,
why did you hire me? If you were worried about me
you should have checked out my mental state before
you brought me here.” Julia kept a steady gaze on him.
“Woman!” Pulling his hat off of his head he began to
rub the back of his neck. Putting his hat back on, he
irritated her with the teasing smile on his face. “Tell me
something.” He broached the subject as carefully as a
dog approaches a butterfly. “You didn’t pad your
qualifications did you? I bet you don’t even have a
certificate.” Receiving no answer he goaded her some
more. “Well do you?” Julia blushed furiously.
Feeling her heart beating double the times it normally
did, her breath came in short spurts. She hadn’t
padded it, but she did exaggerate her experience
somewhat. She felt justified, for in her mind she knew
she was quite capable of performing the job.
“I knew it!” Travis threw his hat on the ground. “You
lied didn’t you? I spent good money and what do I
have? A smart mouthed sassy woman with no
education.”
Soul Cry of the Heart
60
“I did not lie!” Stomping her foot and missing his foot
by a millimeter, she turned away and would not face
him. Calming down, her sultry voice humbled itself a
bit.
“Well not really.” Turning back to him she knew she
could not lie to this man with the interesting eyes. “I
mean I did go to the schools for awhile, and I do have
a certificate. It’s just that I never stayed in one school
long enough to let the teacher’s get to know me. I’ll
have you know that I was among the best students and
I will teach your children well.” Standing with her
hands on her hips her arrogance irritated Travis.
“And why didn’t you stay at any one school very long?”
Travis poked his face close to hers and added
sarcastically, “I suppose I don’t need the answer to
that question. You’ve given me plenty of reasons to
know on my own.”
Julia had enough. Lightning fast she reached out to
smack him, but he was faster than she was. He caught
her wrist in mid motion and then gripped it hard and
firm. Julia tried to break away but he was too strong.
Breathing heavily she almost feared the anger she saw
in the face of the man who was holding her so tight.
“I don’t know who you are or what you are.” Speaking
through clenched teeth he glared at her, “but I gave
you money to work for me and work you will. I’m
getting real tired of these outbursts also. I think it’s
time you grew up. Tantrums are for kids.” He released
her and the pressure of his release almost threw her to
the ground.
Starting toward the house he called over his shoulder.
“There’s laundry in the kids room and my room. Please
have it done by tonight. Also the young uns probably
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61
are hungry and so am I. “You told me you could cook
so let’s see if that is true or not. Oh and you wanted to
know why I hired you? You were the only one that
answered my ad.”
Julia rubbed her wrist as she watched him march
toward the house. Hating him she kicked at the ground
and cursed the day she set foot in Montana. She hated
him for seeing through her, she hated him for being in
control and she hated him for being so darned
attractive.
Well, she was Julia Carwood and no man or woman
would get the better of her. She would show him a
thing or two. Stiffening her shoulders, and setting her
chin, she followed him into the house.
“So much for new beginnings.” She said as her heart
dropped with each new step.
Unbeknownst to anyone but Paddy and Julia, Uncle
Paddy had prepared Julia well for whatever duties she
might have to perform in her life. Paddy was well
aware that life offered no guarantees and that Julia, by
way of her unwanted birth, needed to know everything
that could make her self-sufficient.
Hiring tutors until she was in her teens, Julia’s
childhood was very limiting. Most of the children in the
neighborhood were away at private schools so Uncle
Paddy became her playmate. She did have friends
among Paddy’s acquaintances, but she was years
ahead of them in maturity and never seemed to
connect with children her own age.
He had maids teach her how to clean, cook, and sew.
He forced her into acting as the woman of the house
and at the age of 12 she was making the household
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62
decisions that would help her if she married into the
right society.
Paddy spent many hours teaching her the art of riding
and training horses. Mastering a gun at the age of ten
she also played a mean game of poker and knew how
to be a perfect hostess.
Paddy did his job well teaching her to excel in
everything she did. When she finally went to school,
she was among the brightest students in scholastic
testing and her teachers were at a loss to keep her
challenged which was part of her behavior problems.
Excellent as her teaching was, there was one thing
Paddy could not teach her. He could not teach Julia
how to be a woman.
Julia had never learned how to be feminine in the
strictest sense of the word. Her outward appearance
spoke of gentility but once she opened her mouth the
whole facade faded like a year old flower pressed in a
heavy book.
Protecting Julia from his seamier part of life, her
contact with the people he ran with was occasional and
short-lived. As she grew older it was harder to pretend
that those he socialized with were the cream of the
crop, so during vacations from school, Paddy devoted
his time to entertaining and training Julia for whatever
reality would bring to her.
Paddy, luncheoning with Julia’s mother, would become
frustrated pleading with her to take on her
responsibilities. He loved Julia dearly and loved raising
her but he knew Elizabeth could teach the girl things
he never could.
These luncheons would inevitably end in arguments.
Elizabeth was staunch in her refusal to tie herself down
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63
with a child. Reminding him that he had taken Julia
when she was very young, Elizabeth tried to convince
him how cruel it would to take Julia from the only
home she had known.
Paddy knew that Elizabeth’s main concern wasn’t with
Julia’s welfare as much as his sister’s concerned for
herself. Becoming angry, he would then accuse his
sister of being a selfish and cruel woman with her
antagonistic response cruelly reminding him that of all
people he shouldn’t judge.
Growing older, Julia knew what her Uncle was and
sometimes she was ashamed but she loved him. He
was the only person in her life to love her and she was
obstinately passionate in her defense of him.
Noticing Julia had grown into a beautiful woman with a
warped view of the world, Paddy, concerned about her
future, wanted her to meet some nice young men and
possibly marry well. He knew she needed to be with
decent people. He was going to suggest that she stay
with his best friend’s family, people he greatly
respected, but had died before he could bring the
subject up.
Fuming Travis walked to the back of the house. Taking
off his jacket he picked up the ax to start cutting wood
and then instead sat down on the cutting log. Kneeling
on the ax handle, he asked himself.
“Now how did that happen?” Taking off his hat he
rubbed his neck. “We were doing so well. All I did was
ask her a question. That woman changes faster than a
chameleon!” Remembering how her eyes sparkled with
anger and how she would toss her hair in rebellion
creating a fan of golden curls flowing past her face, he
puzzled that someone he had met so quickly should
have such an impact on his mind.
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64
CHAPTER 6
CHAPTER 6
CHAPTER 6
CHAPTER 6
The sun’s rays embraced every thing with the intense
heat of the afternoon sun. Mud was lying on the ground
panting in his sleep and even the insects had toned
down their humming to conserve energy. Life quieted
itself waiting until the evening’s breeze returned to
restore vigor and strength once more.
Julia stood over a washbasin washing clothes. Hot
water steamed up into her face creating droplets of
sweat that fell off her nose and mingled with the wash
water. Frizzled tendrils surrounded her intensely
thoughtful face.
Pondering on the rationale of her plan, she was ready
to go into one of her pity party spells as she called
them. She was hot sticky and feeling sorry for herself.
Pleased that lunch had gone well she could at least
have some satisfaction in that. The kids enjoyed her
sandwiches. She had made faces on them that brought
giggles to the table.
Smugly recalling the way Travis's eyebrows lifted when
he bit into her bean and bacon soup showed her that
she had won in the cooking category. Still the
argument she had with Travis and the difficulty of
handling a household in the wilds of the country made
her wish she had never set foot in Montana.
Julia remembered what her Uncle Paddy had told her
once when she wanted to quit training horses because
she did not like cleaning out the stalls. “Julie,” He
would put his pipe in his mouth every time he was
going to lecture her, give it one puff and take it out
and pound out the tobacco. “There is nothing wrong
with hard labor, what’s wrong is thinking it’s wrong.
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65
This world would not be existing if it weren’t for people
willing to work it. Tis what the Good Lord intended.”
Recalling memories about her life with Paddy, Julia
smiled calling to mind the happiness of the scenes.
They brought her back to a tranquil and happy time of
her life. The loss of the comfort that her past life
brought her caused tears to surface giving her beautiful
emerald eyes a translucent look.
Tears fell down her cheeks in an unending flow. She
couldn’t have stopped herself in she tried. All the hurt,
frustration, exhaustion and fear finally caught up with
her emotions.
Holding onto the washbasin, she began releasing her
body to the overwhelming emotions. It was a deep
heart-wrenching cry that made her body shake and
tremble uncontrollably. Her tears fell in warm flows to
her fingers, which were white, knuckled from the force
she had on the basin.
Travis was returning from the barn when he turned a
corner and observed Julia in her weak moment.
Allowing himself a minute to observe her, compassion
engulfed him. She was so young and alone. One had to
give her credit for the ingenuity and courage she had
shown.
He didn’t really care what she was before she came
here and he wished he hadn’t pushed her so hard.
Augusta told him that she was alone now in the world
and that she had a mother that didn’t want her. He
didn’t know why it was so important, but he wanted
her to trust him the way she trusted Augusta.
Compassionately observing her, he waited until she
finally cried herself out. Wiping her eyes, she
straightened her shoulders and went back to work.
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66
Taking a mental note of the scene he cautiously walked
up to her.
“Lunch was very good Julia. “It looks like you did very
well in your cooking class.”
“Thanks.” Her low sultry voice was now cracking and
muffled. Julia kept her eyes down not wanting to look
at him revealing her red eyes.
“Where are the children?” Travis wanted so badly to
comfort her in some way, but he did not know how.
“They played so hard today, they almost fell asleep at
the kitchen table.” Keeping her face down, she
continued to wash the clothes with a forced vigor.
Though she drove him crazy, he enjoyed sparring with
her and he didn’t quite understand why he felt so hurt
that she was unhappy and driven to tears. Travis just
stood there and stared at her.
He liked looking at her. He liked her movements, her
faces and her spunk. Not getting any more response
out of her he picked up a piece of wash and
commented. “Admirable job.” Walking off he started to
whistle a tune. Julia picked up the piece of wash he
had touched and started crying again.
The day wore on and after the kids woke up, Julia’s
spirits rose. The children were anxious to show her
around and the afternoon was spent with the children
showing her all their secret places. They were now
leading her to their special secret place.
Taking her down a path that went from the back of the
house to the forest area, Julia eagerly looked about
her. They were walking along a path thickly lined with
old pine trees and it grew quite dark with the sun not
being able to pierce the inner sanctum of the heavily
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67
forested area. About a quarter of a mile the kids
started whispering and became excited.
“Julia, close your eyes please, we want to surprise
you.” David took off the scarf he had been wearing and
placed it around her eyes. Somewhat suspicious, Julia
wondered if this was an initiation for the new
governess. Giggling, Mavis put her hands on Julia’s
eyes to make sure she wasn’t peeking. David
cautiously led Julia down the path telling her when she
needed to step over a root or rock or dodge a branch
or bush.
When she was almost ready to tell him to stop, he
stopped her, by putting his hands on her shoulders.
Then he began to untie the scarf. Telling her it was ok
to open her eyes; he swept the scarf away from her
face like a magician.
Julia let out a gasp of surprise. A swimming hole with
big knotted limbs perfect for hanging and diving,
nestled itself among the pines. A break in the forest
allowed the sun to shine with a fury on the little
swimming area. Looking clean and cool the water
beckoned to the wanderers. David being seven was
already an avid swimmer so he jumped in after he had
removed his trousers and shirt.
Following the pack was Mud their dog. He had followed
the three of them. Not being confident of Julia’s ability,
he appointed himself protector of the children.
Forgetting his post, with the anticipation of a good
swim, he jumped into the water after David. The three
of them laughed as the dog came up spluttering and
choking trying to swim after his young master. Mavis
being three could only wade but had fun observing her
brother doing aquatic gymnastics.
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68
“Do you want to swim Julia?” David asked as he was
doing the backstroke. It looked so inviting. Julia was
tempted.
“Juwe.” Mavis tugged on Julie’s hair to get her
attention. “Me too?”
Julia smiled. “Why not,” she said. It was hot, she was
sticky and that water looked too cool not to partake of
it. With Mavis in her arms, Julie waded into the clear
cool water. Relief from the heat started climbing up her
legs gradually spreading throughout her body.
“Juwe let me down; I want to pway too.” Julia not
knowing how well Mavis knew the water stayed close to
her. All of a sudden David swam by and splashed water
into Julia’s face. “Oh you’re in for it now!” She raced
after him and returned tit for tat. It became a free for
all after that. Even Mavis got into the act.
Hidden by tall trees as he observed the group splashing
and having fun, Travis smiled as the three of them
played with an abandon that brought the uneasy
emotion of jealousy to mind. It wasn’t as though he
was spying on them, but he rationalized that for a
while at least, he would see how she related to the
children in private. He needn’t have worried.
The children had taken to Julia without reservation.
David and Mavis took turns getting on Julia, taking
piggyback rides, that ended in one or another being
dunked in the water. Travis again felt a slight pang of
jealousy. He did not allow himself many times of
frivolity with the children.
There was too much work to do to allow Travis time for
frivolity. He had to make sure the ranch ran smoothly
and efficiently. He would not allow himself to fail at
what he had taken so long to secure. Planning had
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69
saved his life. Digging into his dream helped him to
survive all the hurt he had gone through.
Seeing the nearing of the fulfillment of his dream, he
couldn’t stop now. In two years he would be sole owner
of his house and land. Travis had a dream that once he
was financially sound and had built something worthy
of respect, he would contact his family and show them
he was still worthy of their love and acceptance.
Watching Julia as she romped with the kids and seeing
how they loved it, brought memories of earlier times to
his mind. He remembered how in happier times he and
Suzanne had swum in this pond cooling themselves off
after a hard day of clearing the land to build the cabin.
He thought of Suzanne but Julia kept tempting his
eyes.
Her hair kept getting in the way of her vision Plastered
down the front and sides of her head, she would shake
it to keep all the water from falling into her eyes.
Lifting her arms to pick up that glorious hair; then
tossing her head back and forth, she would shake her
head creating a cascade of tendrils of dark shiny
ringlets.
Travis watched the innocent movements, and it made
him feel those feelings again that he didn’t want to feel
especially with this girl. Her face newly cleansed looked
fresh and young. In her happiness, her eyes glowed
and he could imagine the bright emerald color they
would be now.
Calling a halt to the play, Julia called out that it was
time to get back to the house. The children groaned
and fussed but when she said that milk and cookies
were waiting, they all bounded out of the water with
Mud trailing after them. Everyone yelled and moaned
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70
when the dog shook himself off sending streams of
water spraying in all directions.
Travis, still observing the motley crew, widened his
eyes as he noticed how Julia’s dress clung to her like a
skintight pair of long johns revealing her body in its
shape and contour. Never having had a chance to
observe her he could not miss how tiny her waist was
or how long her legs were. Pleasantly rounded hips
completed her curves and her rear end was cute
enough to make Travis think thoughts he knew he
should not be thinking. Her breasts were full and her
nipples that had tightened in the cool water exposed
themselves through the thin wet fabric. In shocked
realization he realized she was not wearing a corset
and the perfection of her body was all her.
Lifting her arms to pick up her hair to wring it out,
Travis’s breath came heavy and sporadic as his body
reacted to the complete sensuality of the moment. She
was in his estimation one of the most beautiful women
he had ever seen. Her hair reached almost to her hips
and every time he saw it he couldn’t help admire its
reddish gold beauty.
The trio began its hike back to house. Travis still hiding
from them, pondered on the scene he had just
witnessed. Feeling guilty over the thoughts he was
having, he started thinking of his wife Suzanne. Being
an idealist Travis figured there was only one person in
the world for him. Suzanne had been that person. She
had fit him as well as a well-worn glove.
Accepting his stubbornness and temper, along with
living his dream, she knew what forces threw him into
the frenzy of work. He wanted to create something that
would bring back the confidence he had once had
before his family had so callously expelled him.
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71
Suzanne understood because she came from almost
the same circumstances. She understood him in the
way no one else would. Travis had thought the world of
her.
It wasn’t so much passion that the two of them
experienced, but a warm companionship born out of
familiarity. Travis had never experienced passion and
he was a little fearful of the feelings this young woman
made him feel. He could feel exasperation even anger
towards her. At the same time he would have to do
everything not to put his hands into the lush red hair
and pull her young face to his seeking the mouth that
caused him so much trouble.
In watching the three of them together he realized how
much fun the children were having. It also grieved him
to realize that Suzanne would never have played with
the children like that. She had been very straightlaced
and serious and it disturbed him to realize that maybe
there was more to parenting than just being a parent.
It was a feeling that was alien to him.
Being raised in an environment that bred gentleman
with duty in their bones, he felt a tug of war in his
heart. He could not deny the fire that Julia fed within
him. He was also a gentleman and they did not act on
their feelings.
When the raggedy group got back to the house Travis
was cutting wood. Julia marveled at his unclothed
upper body. His muscles glistened in the sun. She had
never seen such a massive body on a man and it both
repelled and excited her. His chest covered with dark
hair was expansive and his stomach was flat and firm.
When he lifted the ax his chest expanded and his ribs
formed a perfect fan for all to see.
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72
He was a magnificent spectacle of a man and sent
Julia’s emotions reeling. Feelings that she had never
experienced before, in areas she had never
experienced before, left her confused and frustrated.
Mavis and David ran up to him. They clung onto the
powerful chest of his. Julia felt a little jealous.
“Pa, Pa, we had so much fun.” They were talking a mile
a minute. “We all swam.” Julia looked at David. He
looked so much like his dad. He had the same brown
eyes and all his actions spoke of a little boy who looked
up to and adored his daddy.
“Even me,” Mavis said, looking at her father and
beaming. Mavis on the other hand was delicate, blond
and blue eyed. She was very sensitive and quietness
would be her strength. Travis looked down at his little
thumbsucking angel.
“Well, little one, looks like you had fun.” He rubbed the
child’s wet head. “I think it’s time for you all to do
some work now.” He released them and motioned them
to back away. He lifted his ax to chop some more
wood.
“Aw Pa,” David started to voice descent but Travis’s
look stopped him. “Start picking up this wood, boy. We
have to get ready for winter.”
“Pa, winter isn’t for three months.” Travis set down his
ax.
“Son, it takes us five months just to get the wood cut
to have enough for the winter; especially if it’s a bad
one. Mavis, honey, you help your pa by picking up the
kindling ok?” The children obeyed and started walking
towards the barn.
“Julia, you’d better start thinking about your schedule.
I’ve written up your chores in the house. I put a list of
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73
them on the kitchen table.” He tried not to look at her.
She looked so beautiful. Her hair had dried enough so
that unfettered and uncombed it flowed out from her
face in masses of ringlets that made her look like even
more beautiful. Travis gulped and spoke to her in a
voice that contained more sternness than it needed.
“Get up there now; you can’t play piggyback with the
kids forever.” He knew the minute he said this that it
was a mistake. Julia’s smile vanished from her face.
Her eyes got a dull green again. She walked up to him
so the kids would not hear. Her voice grated against
his nerves.
“So along with being a careless driver you were spying
on us also? Did you think that I was going to let your
children drown or something? Well this just cuts it. I
will see to the schedule and when I have paid my dues
I will happily leave this place.” She started toward the
house, stopped and turned toward Travis.
“You know, it wouldn’t hurt you to play with the kids
every once in a while.”
Travis gave her a narrowed-eyed scowl. “I don’t need
you to tell me how to raise my children.”
“You don’t need anything or anyone; do you Mr.
Parnell? You’ll just live life under your rules and your
desires and everything will be just fine. Well, I hate to
tell you this but one of these days you’re going to have
to change. You won’t always have your children and
when they grow up that’s it.”
“What made you the expert?” Travis now was staring
at her in an eye to eye combat his voice rising a bit.
“I just know how much parents mean to their children.”
Julia looked down at the ground. She seemed to be
talking to herself more than to him. “It means more
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74
than just getting them an education and teaching them
responsibility; you mean more to them then you think.”
She knew she was getting into deep waters here so she
closed her mouth and said no more. “I’ll go look at the
schedule now.”
“Suit yourself.” Travis looking like he could burn a log
with his eyes went back to cutting wood. Julia huffily
trudged back to the house.
Entering the kitchen, she picked up the schedule and
began to read it. Her eyes widened, as she could not
believe her eyes.
Schedule for Julia
Wake 4:00 a.m.
Help with milking cows
Get breakfast
Get water from lake
Teach kids
Make lunch
Clean house
Get dinner
Do laundry
Four in the morning! Julia could not believe what she
was reading. Never getting up that early in her life she
wondered at the nerve of this man. If he was just
trying to be mean she couldn’t understand it.
She hadn’t considered that being a governess and a
housekeeper would require this much work; setting the
children down to their milk and cookies, she went to
her room. Falling heavily on her bed, she put the note
to her forehead.
Depression almost wrapped its’ arms around her but
she fought it and placed the problem clearly in front of
her. It was her way of reaching deep within herself and
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75
it helped her to face the problems she felt were
insurmountable.
She listed the facts in her mind. This was a ranch
located in the wilderness. There were no maids and
butlers to take on the more mundane jobs in the
house. Travis was paying her and expected her to be
capable of doing this work.
Groaning at her ignorance and impetuous nature she
figured she would just let depression do its’ worst.
Then remembering her Uncle Paddy’s words about not
quitting, she set her shoulders and decided to face this
challenge as she had faced all others. She looked up
toward the ceiling and made a vow to her lost uncle.
“I’ll do it for you Uncle Paddy; I’ll show you I can.”
It would become a challenge to show Travis Parnell
what she could do. What she didn’t quite understand
was why it mattered so much.
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76
CHAPTER 7
CHAPTER 7
CHAPTER 7
CHAPTER 7
Each day began with a new challenge and Julia looked
at her problems as exactly that...challenges. She was
proving her mettle to Travis. He could not complain
about one thing she was doing and after three weeks
he wondered what he would do without her. Travis
never regretted his decision in hiring her. Their
relationship became warm, created out of respect for
one another.
Julia brought into the house a life and force he had
never experienced. His children were now enjoying
learning, they worshipped the ground she walked on
and seemed happier than they’d ever been. Because
she picked up the household duties and took care of
the shopping, he could now concentrate on his
business and that made him very happy.
Worrying that she was working too hard, he decided
that one day very soon he was going to do something
special for her. He liked the girl and the relationship
between them had become one of real friendship and
camaraderie. Having mastered his feelings; convinced
she was too young for him to be interested in her, they
had formed a very easy and natural communication.
The special day came quicker than he had anticipated.
It was a beautiful late summer day and the sky and the
ground seemed to melt into one beautiful canvas of
continuous perfection. Deciding to go visit his friend
Chief Wise Eagle who was camped for the summer near
his home. Travis thought it would be nice to bring Julia
along.
The time had not yet come that the Indians and the
white man were to become mortal enemies but it was
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77
quickly approaching. Travis, seeing all the signs, was
able to get news from the newspapers. He wanted to
keep Wise Eagle informed of all the changes, trying to
keep the tribe safe as long as possible.
Chief Wise Eagle and Travis became friends when they
met the first summer Travis had moved to Montana. He
was out deer hunting and had come upon the Indian
village. Frightened, wondering how these people would
react to him, he found out that the Indians had become
used to white trappers coming through the area.
A very hospitable people, they asked him to stay with
them for a night. He eagerly took advantage of the
offer; met and became friends with Chief Wise Eagle.
The friendship eventually came to mean a great deal to
both men.
Chief Wise Eagle was of a branch of the Mandan tribe.
Frightened by a smallpox epidemic that killed most of
his people in 1837, Chief Wise Eagle abandoning the
main Mandan tribes fled with his wife and close
relatives and entered into Canada and sometimes
Montana where the white man had not yet claimed a
large presence. They found the land different from
what they were used to but it had plenty of game,
water and it was clean.
Suzanne who had been out of her mind with fear, laid
into Travis when he returned. The next time he took
her with him and even though she never felt
comfortable with the Indians she accorded them the
courtesy of being Travis’s friends. The village became a
second home to him and he loved his visits there.
Travis decided to go tell Julia.
She was washing the dishes as he walked over to her.
He walked slowly towards her observing her
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78
movements. She worked in confidence and comfortable
peace. She was becoming a woman before his eyes.
Humming as she washed, he observed her long
graceful neck. She had tied her hair up today and
although he liked it long and flowing there was also
something very tantalizing about seeing her neck and
delicate ears and the smooth skin that was exposed.
The hard work and confidence she was gaining from
her new vast store of ranching knowledge were
changing her and signs of maturity and responsibilities
were marking her person.
Clearing his throat to make his presence known. Julia
turned and smiled at him. It always warmed his heart
when he’d see her look at him and smile. She had a
way of making the people she was with feel as if like
they were the most special people in the world.
“I’m going to be riding over to my friend Chief Wise
Eagle and I was thinking to myself how hard you’ve
been working and that maybe you’d like to come and
meet him.” Travis thought, ‘I feel like a schoolboy
asking for a date!’
Julia finished rinsing off her last plate. Glancing at him;
her green eyes widened at the suggestion. “You mean
a real Indian?” He noted hesitancy. “In a real Indian
tribe? Travis is that safe?”
She turned to face him with fear in her eyes. Julia had
heard what every other person west of the Rockies had
heard about. The tall tales about the redskin parties
that had begun to cause problems in many different
areas of the United States.
“Don’t believe everything you hear Julia. Let me show
you that they are people like every one else.” He took
the towel from her hands and laid it on the counter.
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79
She paused for a moment looking into his eyes as
though she was mentally debating with herself the
practicality of the suggestion. “What about the
children?”
“I’ll get Candy to look after them. “We’ll be back
tomorrow.”
“All right Travis.” Smiling at him, she started to untie
her apron. “I’ll just be a minute.” She ran to her room
and took out a riding dress that her Uncle Paddy had
bought for her. Putting it on she examined herself in
the mirror. Never one to be concerned with her looks
she usually just combed her hair and went about her
business.
Today, however, when she looked in the mirror, a new
person looked out at her. She ran her hand over her
face and noticed that her eyes looked older, her face
was becoming more defined. Pinning some loose curls
that had fallen from her topknot, she pulled some
tendrils out around her face. It wasn’t a bad looking
face, she decided.
She was starting to feel like a woman. Instead of
youthful rebellion and idealist yearnings, she was
becoming use to prioritizing her day, managing the
household the best she could. She was proving to
everyone that although she was young, she was very
capable.
Enjoying the children more than anyone would know,
sometimes she would sit and watch them play
wondering what it would be like to have one of her
own. Lately she found herself wanting to hold a baby in
her arms, giving it all the love she had never received.
Instead she lavished her love on Travis’s children and
they reveled in it.
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80
Standing in front of the mirror, she thought over these
things and shook her head. “Maybe this will be good for
me.” She said to herself. “I am getting fanciful!”
Finishing with her packing, she raced out of her
bedroom and went to meet Travis at the barn.
Candy had saddled Travis’s horse Killer and a spunky
brown and white Appaloosa for Julia. They were
packing supplies when Julia entered the barn. She
noticed Candy saddling the Appaloosa. Walking up to
the horse, she patted the animal’s soft coat.
“What’s her name?” The horse nickered gently.
“Sissy.” Candy replied.
“I hope that doesn’t mean she is a sissy.” Julia
laughed. “I’ve been riding since I was nigh to a
grasshopper.”
“Well you haven’t ridden in this type of country.”
Travis’s eyebrows rose. He looked at her, his brown
eyes hard with warning.
Looking inquiringly over at Travis and Candy she
asked.
“What’s so different in this country?” Julia started to
mount Sissy while Candy and Travis looked at each
other and sighed.
There had been a debate between Travis and Candy
before Julia appeared whether it was appropriate for
her to accompany Travis on this trip with both her
safety and respectability in question. Travis had won
saying that she was too ornery for anything to tempt
its’ fate with her and as far as her respectability, he
assured Candy that he’d hired her for his kids pleasure
not his.
Handing Julia a rifle, Travis asked her.
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81
“Have you used one of these?” Julia looked at the rifle
then to him.
Cautiously she answered.
“Yes, my Uncle taught me how to shoot.”
“Targets I suppose.” There was a sneer in his voice.
Julia saw another challenge.
“Yes, Travis, targets, but I bet I could keep up with
you!” Travis laughed half believing her.
“Well, we’ll see about that little girl.”
Giving her the rifle, he told her to put it in her
saddlebag. Expertly settling himself on his horse he
pulled the reins to the right and nudged Killer to a
canter.
“Let’s go.”
Julia settling herself on Sissy followed Travis watching
the back of his head. She thought about sticking her
tongue out at him but instead she rebelliously
whispered under her breath. “Little girl.” Tired of him
treating her like she was some baby, she lifted her chin
defiantly and said to herself. “I’ll show you a few
things; Mr. Travis Parnell.” Then the thought occurred
to her that they were going on this trip alone and her
confidence suddenly lost itself in shocked realization.
The warm sun beat upon the shoulders of the two
riders and Julia wished she had worn a hat. The pace
they kept was comfortable and Julia drank in the
scenery.
“Travis, I don’t think I have ever seen such beautiful
county.”
“I think this is just about the best country in the
world.” He looked over at Julia and smiled foolishly.
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82
“What are you looking at me like that for.”
“I don’t know. Just like looking at you.” Julia's cheeks
blushed a delicate pink.
“Well thank you Travis. That is the nicest thing you
have said to me.”
“I guess I am kind of a hard nose aren’t I”
“Well, I thought so at first but now you don’t scare me
much.” Julia smiled smugly.
Travis figured this would be a good time to get to know
Julia better.
“This Uncle of yours, he taught you a lot didn’t he?”
Travis reined his horse Killer next to Sissy.
“Yes he did.” Julia gazed over at Travis who looked so
handsome and capable on his beautiful black stallion.
“He was the one who raised me. He felt like I needed
to know everything that might have to take me
through life.”
“Where was your ma? Or do you mind my asking?”
Travis didn’t want to pry too much. He noticed the pain
that flitted over her expressive face. There was a
moment of silence and Julia wondered to herself how
much she should indulge to her friend.
“My mother wasn’t interested in being a mother so she
left the raising of me to my Uncle Paddy.”
“And where is your Uncle Paddy now?” Looking at her,
Travis knew the answer but just wanted her to tell him.
“He died not too long ago.”
Julia looked straight ahead of her so he would not see
the tears in her eyes. Travis, hearing the story from
Julia herself admired her even more now that he knew.
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83
Being thrown out into the world without anyone to hold
onto, this young wisp of a girl taken the reins of life
and directed a new course for herself. Travis knew
what her pain felt like and a kindred feeling started to
ignite within him. He was glad to be part of her rescue.
“Must be hard to be on your own with no one to help
you.” Travis looked at her thoughtfully.
“Well I’m not really alone. I mean I have you and
Augusta and Candy and the children. I never really
think about it.”
Travis looked at her sun flushed face knowing that it
would probably burn by the afternoon. Reaching into
his saddlebag he pulled out a piece of cloth. “Here put
this on. You’re going to need it before the day is out. It
isn’t much but it will shade your face. Handing it to
Julia, she saw it was a woman’s cloth bonnet.
“Why thank you Travis. She tied the ribbons into a neat
bow under her chin, Travis’s heart wrenched when he
remembered who had worn it last.
“Always ready to be at your service.”
“Seems to me you said that once before.” Looking at
each other they both remembered the way they met.
“We sure gave the town a big laugh that day didn’t
we?” Travis chuckled at the remembrance.
“Well it seems like I gave you a big laugh.” Julia dryly
retorted. “By the way how long is it going to take to
get to the Indian village?”
“Well, if the weather holds up, we should be there
tomorrow morning.”
Julia gasped. “You mean we will have to camp out here
alone before we get there?”
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“What’s the matter? Afraid of me?” Travis said
teasingly.
“You?” She blushed in the truthfulness of his question.
“Of course not. I was thinking of bears.
“Bears!” ‘Of all things to be scared of.’ He thought.
“Hell, what are you scared of bears for?”
“Well I heard they can come into a camp and without
warning, rip a person apart.” Julia’s eyes were as big
as her imagination.
“Honey,” Travis looked at her in amusement. “The
truth is, is that they are just as scared of us as we are
of them. There’s only one bear bad enough for a
person to be scared of. That’s old Marlowe.
“Who is old Marlowe?”
“He’s a bear that comes down around this time of the
year and wrecks havoc on the farms around here.”
“Is, is he around here now?” Julia’s eyes began
searching the landscape.
“Could be.” Travis’s eyes looked over at Julia to see her
expression. She looked as scared as a mouse cornered
by a cat. Then all of a sudden, she straightened up in
her saddle. “Oh pooh.” She said. “I’ve got you and your
trusted rifle. What’s to worry about.”
Travis just looked at her and shook his head. There
was never a dull moment with Julia.
At the same moment his eyes were seeing her with a
new respect, a deer leaped out of the bushes and
jumped into view spooking Killer who was a very high
strung horse. Catching Travis off guard, the horse
screamed and reared up knocking him to the ground.
Julia trying to rein in Sissy who was now circling in
confusion heard Travis yell out to try to get the deer
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85
who was standing in confusion wondering what it
should do. Unfortunately, the hesitancy gave Julia just
enough time to settle her horse. Grabbing the gun from
her saddlebag, she took quick aim and with a steady
finger shot the deer directly between its eyes. The deer
stood there for a second staring at her, then jerked and
fell to the ground.
Travis who was still on the ground, looked from the
deer to the girl and back again. With a big grin on his
face he turned and looked at Julia.
“I’ll be darned, did he teach you to do that?
Julia breathless with her victory, answered with pride.
“Sure did.” She set the rifle next to her in a pose.
Picking himself up from the ground Travis dusted
himself off. Walking over to the deer he took a knife
out of his boot. Deftly and quickly, he sliced the deer’s
neck and blood started pouring out.
Glancing over at Julia, he saw she had become as
white as a sheet. Turning the horse and walking away,
she bent over and gagged. Travis chuckled; amused
that one so fiesty could be so weak of stomach.
Waiting for a few minutes until the animal bled out,
and giving Julia time to recover, Travis picked up the
deer and attached it onto Killer to be a gift for the
tribe. Looking over at Julia with another newfound look
of admiration he said,
“You know you will be honored tomorrow at the feast.
You’re quite a girl Julia.” Reveling in the compliment
Julia grinned back at Travis. She liked being admired
and nothing on this earth was going to make her leave
Montana now.
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86
CHAPTER 8
CHAPTER 8
CHAPTER 8
CHAPTER 8
Travis and Julia, with the horses prancing along at an
easy pace, happy to be out in wide-open spaces carried
the two travelers with ease. Travis made sure to show
Julia special places and historical markers along the
way. It was late afternoon when they decided to stop
for the day. They picked a spot near a running stream
and a big cottonwood tree to supply water and some
well-needed shade.
Climbing down from the horses, Travis led them to a
grazing and watered area while Julia set up the lunch
Candy packed for them. “We’re making good time.
Travis casually remarked. “We should be there
sometime tomorrow morning.” Julia looked around at
the landscape. She hadn’t expected to spend the night
out here. “Don’t you think this is a little too open for us
to stay safe?” She asked.
“Naw it’s perfect. As long as we put all the food away
and up off the ground and clean up after ourselves,
nothing is going to try to hurt us. I’ve done it countless
times before.” Travis walked up to Julia and sat down.
Julia looked around indecisively. Where would she
bathe; where would she perform her toilet functions?
She felt trapped and helpless in this new situation.
Nervously, she questioned Travis.
“Where do we, um bathe, um and other things?”
Travis hooted with laughter. “Hell honey, we are in the
frontier. You don’t think of bathing here!”
“You don’t?” Julia looked at him in shock. “You mean
the whole time we are gone, we aren’t going to bathe?”
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87
Exasperated at himself for bringing her than at her
ignorance, Travis decided to ease her discomfort. “Look
Julia, if you really want to bathe, you can bathe in the
creek. I won’t look and you can have your privacy. Will
that make you happy?”
Julia looked at him skeptically. “As I recall, you had a
problem with peeping when I first came here. Will you
keep to your word like a gentleman?”
Travis nodded his head.
“Then I think I’d like to stay here Travis. I don’t think I
could ride another mile. A certain part of me is really
sore.”
“If you want I could rub some liniment on for you.”
Travis smiled wickedly, then laughed heartily when he
saw Julia’s mortified expression.
Sunset announced itself with a parade of purple and
pink hues coloring the sky. Julia was taking her bath
quietly humming to herself. Travis, who was bound and
determined to keep his promise, had his back to her
busily tying the deer up a big tree hoping that no
predator would smell it tonight.
All of a sudden he heard a shriek loud enough to wake
the dead. Turning around with gun in hand, he saw
Julia with her bare backside jumping in the water
flailing her arms and shaking her leg. Running to the
bank of the creek, he leaned on his gun and started
roaring with laughter. A large crawdad had attached
himself onto her big toe. Julia trying to cover herself
and deal with the freshwater crustacean was just too
much for Travis.
“Hey honey, looks like you have a problem.” He called
out enjoying the view.
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88
“Travis, would you please stop gawking and help me?”
She was red with mortification. Jumping into the water,
Travis pulled the crawdad from her toe. He could see
fresh blood running free. Picking her up, he carried her
to their campsite. Covering her with a blanket he went
to his saddlebag and took out a few items. He knelt
down beside her. “Never leave without these.” He had
some whiskey and bandages. Taking her delicate foot
he poured the whiskey onto the wound. Seeing her
wince he blew on the wound and then began to
bandage it. When he was done he sat down and put his
arm around her. “Hey this is just between us. I won’t
tell anyone Julia.” Chuckling again in remembrance, he
added. “I don’t think anyone would believe me
anyway.” The two of them started to laugh and when
the laughter was over, the atmosphere between them
turned deep and warm. Passion created a longing and
a need.
Touching her hair, Travis again melted in his attraction
for the copper haired beauty. “You are so very beautiful
Julia.” He caressed her chin and then lightly ran his
fingers over her lips. Drawing her to him, he kissed her
gently.
Julia never questioned Travis’s intention. It was like
part of her was always his. The closeness of their
spirits left no room for embarrassment or inhibition.
She was not afraid of his intimacy or the suggestion of
indecency. She only knew she wanted this and there
was nothing indecent about it.
Julia melted at his touch. Her head fell back and Travis
then began kissing her throat with small little licks of
his tongue. The fire that grew in her body turned her
wanton and helpless with every move he made.
Shoving the blanket aside, her legs began to twist
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89
themselves around him. She felt his hands caress her
breasts causing her to convulse inside of the part of
her body she wanted him so desperately to touch.
Soon his hands started to travel down her belly to her
long legs.
“Travis. Oh Travis.” Julia moaned in her ecstasy.
“Suzanne.” Travis whispered as he nuzzled Julia’s neck.
Julia stiffened and sat up. She looked at him
questioningly. Travis realized his error and blushed
furiously.
“I’m sorry. I……Oh God, forgive me.” He put his face in
his hands. “Julia, I’m so sorry. I promised myself this
would not happen.”
Julia wrapped the blanket around herself, picked up her
clothes and started toward some bushes to dress. She
turned suddenly and spoke over her shoulder.
“I don’t know who Suzanne is, but she is a very lucky
woman.”
When she was gone, Travis wondered to himself how
he was going to ever explain this to Julia.
“I guess we better get to sleep.” It’s been a long day.”
Julia appeared out of the bushes fully dressed. She
went to get her bedroll and shook it unrolling it onto
the ground.
“Julia, I’m.” Travis tried to speak but she stopped him
with the raising of her hand.
“It’s alright Travis. It was wrong. We hardly know one
another and our physical closeness got in the way. It
happens. Let’s just forget it and call it a night ok?”
Julia’s smile relaxed his fears.
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90
“Sure. Ok.” Travis started to unroll his bedroll. “I’ll
keep far away ok?” He heard Julia laughing. “What’s so
funny?” He asked smiling himself.
“I ddddon’t kkknow.” Julia could hardly get the words
out she was laughing so hard. “It’s jjjust that we
ssseem to ggget ourselves in such pickles!” She started
howling in laughter. Travis started laughing
uncontrollably also.
“Yeah from manure to sex!” They both convulsed in
recharged laughter. That is how the two of them eased
the situation and eventually fell asleep in the wilds of
primitive Montana.
~~~
The sun rose eagerly and full of energy trying to warm
the chill in the air. Dew covered the two sleepers and it
was hard to get out of the coziness of their covers.
After a quick breakfast and packing of supplies, the two
were on their way.
After they had ridden about 5 miles, they approached a
slight ridge that overlooked another ridge much lower
than the one they were on. Looking down onto flat
landscape below, Julia saw mounds popping up from
ground as if someone had planned hills in a meticulous
order in the normally flat land area. The mounds of the
Indian village, sprawled out amongst the firs like
miniature hills dotting the landscape. The figures of the
Indians were like ants going to a fro.
A body of water nestled itself next to the tribe with
many inlet creeks winding their way through the tribe.
Julia grew breathless with excitement and fear. She felt
her body start to tremble as they approached the
village.
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Leading the horses down the ridge, Travis and Julia
finally reached the small settlement. It seemed like
everyone in the vicinity; the young and old lined up to
greet the couple as they approached. The people
smiling in greeting spoke in an unintelligible language
creating an excited clamor. Dogs barked while the
children ran around Travis expecting a handout of
candy he almost always brought. Reaching into his
saddlebag he threw out handfuls of the candy he had
picked up at the mercantile on one of his visits to
Mournful. It brought back memories of Marla Pearson’s
statement to him as he luxuriated in her fancy feather
bed.
“Travis honey, their little bellies are going to hurt.”
“They’re made different.” “They can’t eat human food.”
He remembered he had looked at her with disbelief and
shook his head at her ignorance, which she dispelled
very quickly by showing him where her intelligence was
of genius proportion. She could take all reason from a
man if she wanted to as she had shown him many
times.
Little by little since Julia had arrived, Travis found it
less necessary to travel to Mournful to see Marla. Julia
seemed to provide the feminine stimulation that he
really wanted. The physical with Marla was fun but
somehow was becoming less important.
Marla was well aware of the situation at the Parnell
household, but she had to be very careful how she was
going to handle this problem.
Soul Cry of the Heart
92
Travis had made it very clear to her what their
relationship was and she had agreed. She didn’t want
to destroy their relationship, but she wanted more
much more.
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93
CHAPTER 9
CHAPTER 9
CHAPTER 9
CHAPTER 9
With the image forever imprinted in her mind, Julia
watched as Chief Wise Eagle walked forward to greet
them. Walking with a grace and litheness that only an
outdoors person has developed. Chief Wise Eagle had a
regalness that reminded her of an old sage of biblical
times. The wisdom that emanated from his dark eyes
proved to her that his name was definitely appropriate.
The chief, dressed in a doe skin shirt elaborately
decorated with beads and glass, was a very handsome
man. Julia figured he was near Travis’s age; perhaps a
little older. Extremely beautiful eagle paintings adorned
the shirt panels that filled a strong and wide chest. His
white hair was braided and intertwined in the braids
were feathers and different colored ribbons or rawhide.
He greeted Travis as a brother; warmly looking into his
eyes. Both men put their hands on each other’s
shoulders.
“Welcome brother.” The chief spoke in perfect English.
“It has been a long time.”
“Too long my brother.” Travis then turned to Julia.
Chief Wise Eagle looked at Julia with interest. Smiling
he nodded his head.
“You have taken a wife. She looks strong and young;
she should bear you many children.”
Travis and Julia looked at one another with
embarrassment.
“This is not my wife, brother. This is Julia Carwood and
she has come to take care of my children. I brought
her here to meet my friend. It was she who has
brought you the present of the deer.”
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94
Travis went and cut the deer from Killer’s back, and
then returned to the group and laid it at the Chief’s
feet. The Chief turned to Julia renewing his look with
amazement.
“One so small and young has the courage and skill of a
young brave. We will have to find you a new name to
celebrate the spirit within you.”
Putting his arm around her shoulders, he
conspiratorially whispered to her.
“Many braves will want to know who you are. You will
dance with us. We will have a feast in your honor.”
Julia shyly stole a quick look at the Indian and he
winked at her.
The chief signaled his women to take care of Julia while
he and Travis retired to his lodge to discuss the latest
news. Julia looked a little scared but Travis nodded to
her that it would be all right and she trusted him that it
would be so.
Several women, some beautiful and statuesque led
Julia to their lodge. They tittered and chattered along
the way fingering her hair and skin. Never having seen
a white woman with copper colored hair and such white
skin; they considered her with wonder. Approaching a
mound of earth that looked like a cave with a log
entrance, the women stopped and quieted when a tall
woman, stepped out of it.
She was older but still beautiful and commanded
attention the minute she appeared. Her hair was very
long and plaited down on side of her head and her eyes
were almost black but very expressive. She was very
much like Wise Eagle in her bearing and almost
charismatic power. A young girl came up to Julia and
spoke in English.
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“Her name is Clear Waters. She is the great
granddaughter to Lomala the Spirit Mother.” Julia could
not take her eyes off the woman.
“Lomala of the legend of Lake of Good Tears?” The
Indian girl nodded in affirmation. She looked at Julia,
pleased that the girl had some knowledge of the
people. Turning to Clear Waters Julia smiled at the
Indian woman. The woman smiled at her and signaled
Julia to enter the lodge. Clear Waters motioned for all
the other women to leave.
Entering the lodge Julia felt as if like she had walked
off the face of the earth to another place and time.
Inside the lodge there were four main posts holding up
the log ceiling. There was an opening in the ceiling
which Julia figured was a smoke outlet and fresh air
opening.
Buffalo hides laid on certain parts of the dirt floor as
rugs and a beautiful black wolf with gold eyes raised its
head when Julia and Clear Waters approached. Upon
their arrival he rose and walked up to Julia, who was
holding her breath wondering what this animal was
going to do to her. Sniffing her to see if she had an
appropriate scent, he made it clear that Clear Waters
was in his protection; he lifted the side of his muzzle
and barely showing his teeth he growled low under his
breath. Turning around he walked back to his rug,
circled and curled into a ball. Julia breathing a sigh of
relief continued her observation of the area around her.
It wasn’t so much what was in the lodge, but the
feeling that emanated from it. As though the ages of
time had lived in the mud made home. There was a
large fire in the middle and bags of certain scents and
condiments were hanging above it. Bowls and other
accouterments set aside for continual use lay next to
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96
the fire and a pot of simmering water hung on a
peaked grate that stood over the fire. The smoke that
seemed to envelop the room but didn’t offend the
senses seemed filled with every scent in the place.
Beautifully beaded bags and blankets hung about.
Bundles of animal skins used to sit or sleep on circled
their way around the lodge. Clear Waters motioned
Julia to sit. Clear Waters sat next to her and picked up
a stick and silently stirred the fire. Putting the stick
down, she turned to Julia.
“You are a woman child of great courage, Julia
Carwood. I have read that in your eyes.” Julia
transfixed by the person and sensations around her,
finally managed to get her voice to say something.
“You speak English?”
Clear Waters smiled.
“When Travis first came here, he taught the chief to
speak English. It was important to the chief that some
of us knew how to speak your language so we would
understand the language of the white men. Travis has
been very important to us as a friend. His name among
us is White Wolf; very rare and valuable. Are you his
woman?”
Julia blushed and shook her head. “No.” She turned red
with embarrassment. “I am not his woman. I am a
teacher to his children and keep his house. That is all.”
“But that is not all you want to be?” Clear Water looked
deep into Julia’s eyes and saw the truth.
Julia shook her head and looked into the fire.
“I don’t know. I don’t know what I want. He is not an
easy man to understand.” Clear Water smiled and
handed Julia some root tea that she had been brewing.
Soul Cry of the Heart
97
“Travis burns with a hurt that he will not let heal. I will
pray that you will help heal his sorrow. When he heals,
he will see with clear eyes and both you and he will
know what you want. It may take some time but if you
are patient, you will see what time will bring.” Clear
Water raised both her hands and fanned the smoke
towards her face. The scents of the herbs exploded
around them.
“What is the sorrow you speak of Clear Water?” Julia
set her tea down to cool. She was eager to hear about
Travis.
Clear Waters breathed in deeply and then exhaled as
though her story was a ponderous one to tell.
“Travis mourns the loss of love. I know nothing more
than that. He is a man who has lost much. Because of
his hurt, he has sheltered himself from feeling; fearing
that if he allows himself to love he will hurt again.”
Clear Water touched Julia’s hand. “It will be all right.
Perhaps you will be the one to heal his heart. Please
drink. It will clear the mind and help with the fatigue of
the ride. Because of the feast, we have a long night
ahead of us.”
In silence the women drank the tea; then as though
they had known each other for a long time they
chattered about life and duties while they prepared
themselves for the feast.
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98
CHAPTER 10
CHAPTER 10
CHAPTER 10
CHAPTER 10
It was evening and the anticipation of the night was
becoming apparent by the increased energy level all
the people of the tribe exhibited trying to finish the
preparations before the feast started.
A big bonfire prepared in the center of the village blew
sparks into the velvety black sky and the children ran
about as only children excited by festivities can do.
Julia felt excited also. She was beginning to enjoy
herself immensely.
The women were treating her like a princess. Leading
her to a hot spring, they bathed Julia in scented herbs
and oils that smelled of the beautiful scents of the
great outdoors. Undressing her they expressed shock
at her nude body because it was so different from
theirs. Acutely embarrassed by being the center of
everyone’s attention Julia slipped into the warm spring
water. Relaxing in its warmth, she wondered if Travis
was getting the same treatment.
Relishing the water’s warmth and comfort, Julia also
spent some time recalling everything she had heard
about these people. She would never have the same
feelings again. In her opinion, they were the kindest
people she had ever met. In some people’s minds they
were heathen and unclean, but the kindness in their
eyes and their friendly and hospitable manner showed
their true character.
After she had soaked for an appropriate time, the
women pulled her out and led her to another lodge.
Dressing her in a pure white deer skin dress with
twisted fringe hanging from the shoulders and hemline,
they honored Julia with beautiful beaded moccasins.
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99
Because her hair was so different, they let it go free
and unfettered but had entwined beads and feathers on
the sides of her head that accentuated her beautiful
green eyes. Accenting her cheekbones and upper
forehead with a gold tinged paint they finished the
transformation. No longer an attractive although plain
clothed girl, Julia was a beautiful Indian maiden that to
all accounts was going to have a time fending off the
men.
The feast was in full swing when Clear Water and Julia
stepped into the festivities. Clear Water made sure that
the timing was right. She wanted Travis to see Julia in
her new vision when he was ready.
The smoke was thick and the scent of cooking filled the
air with mouth watering imaginations. The black sky
monopolized with a large full moon loomed above
them. Millions of stars looking like speckles of fireflies
hovering in the air beamed down on the tribe while the
light of the fire animated the drawings on the clothing
of the people.
The firelight from the bonfire flickered this way and
that over the artwork and then it leaped upwards
revealing dancing branches on the trees that towered
over all the camp. Occasionally a wisp of a cloud would
pass over the moon or a bird would fly by and the
sights and wonders were a feast in itself to Julia. All
around her were beautiful Indian people laughing and
dancing and doing all the same things white people did
at festivities.
As Julia walked closer into the crowd many Indian
braves eyed her in the same way men over the ages
eyed women who struck their fancy and lust. The
dreamlike environment captured her imagination and
she melted into the fantasy relishing the release it
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100
gave her from reality. Her senses became one with the
drum beats and the monotonous chanting of the
Indians.
Travis saw Julia being led to a place of honor next to
the chief. He could not keep his eyes from her. She
was beautiful. No longer his employee or a young girl
child, she was an Indian goddess who tantalized his
every vision. Chief Wise Eagle, not missing Travis’s
expression, motioned for her to sit between himself
and Travis. Then sitting down himself he waited to see
what would happen next.
The Chief and Clear Water had had many discussions of
Travis and they knew what he needed but could not
help a friend if the friend didn’t think he needed help.
Chief Wise Eagle along with his mother Owl Woman
helped Travis during his sorrow over losing Suzanne.
Their respect for him knew no bounds but they knew
he could go no farther without releasing his fear of
love. Chief Wise Eagle looked over at Julia and saw the
love in her eyes.
She was looking at Travis with admiration and desire.
Julia couldn’t stop herself but stared at the man, who
dressed in Indian finery, was the handsomest man she
had ever seen. He was watching the dancing with the
lopsided smile she had become used to. The firelight
danced upon his features, accentuating different views
of his face; all of which she loved.
Travis was dressed in a soft doeskin shirt that was
open at the chest. It was sleeveless so his large arms
were bare. She could see the muscles ripple when he
reached for something to eat. His breeches decorated
in fringe and bead on the outer edges, molded
perfectly to his well-muscled long legs. His hair was
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101
also free flowing and if she had not known him, she
would have thought he was an Indian braves himself.
The drum beats changed and the people of the tribe
gathered in a big circle around the fire. Some rushed
up to Julia and grabbed her hands to come and join
them. Usually embarrassed to do things like that, Julia
jumped up and enthusiastically joined them.
Starting a shuffle going counter clockwise, Julia saw
how they allowed their bodies to go freely to the music
and the beat. She allowed herself to relax and be led
by the passion within her. One by one the women each
picked a man and he came and danced on the outside
of her.
Boldly flirting and touching was accepted during this
dance only. Strictly guarded by the elders, if a dancer
got too unruly they would receive a smack with a whip
bringing them back to a reasonable decorum.
Julia, not understanding the customs, did not pick a
male. Many braves would have loved to have her pick
them but they did not know her relationship to Travis.
Courtesy prevailed and they waited to see if she would
pick him.
Unabashedly swaying to the music, she closed her eyes
turned her head to the sky. Her copper hair swaying
back and forth was a sight to see. Chief Wise Eagle
looked over at Travis who was watching her with desire
in his eyes.
“She does not know the custom of our people Travis.
She is your ward. You should dance with her to protect
her. She is a beautiful young girl filled with much
passion. Many of our males are going to request it of
me if you do not.”
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Fighting with his desire, Travis could no longer resist
the pull of his need to be near her. Picking himself up
he walked over to where she was and took her hands
in his. Startled out of her reverie, she looked at Travis
and smiled at him. Together with their eyes locked
they shuffled with the rest of the group oblivious to
anyone around them. Travis put his hands around her
waist and when they were on the other side of the
camp he pulled her out of the dance and led her to an
area near the creek.
“Travis, what is it?” She turned to him, mesmerizing
him with her questioning emerald eyes. “Where are we
going?” Travis took a hold of her hand and pulled her
to him.
“You are so beautiful. I just wanted to spend sometime
with you alone Julia” Julia looked up at him, the
moonlight framing their faces in a portrait neither
would ever forget.
“Oh Travis. Thank you so much for bringing me here.
These are truly wonderful people.”
His eyes roamed all over her face imprinting it time
and time again in his mind. Her beautiful sparkling
eyes and copper hair, the pert nose and defiant chin
and her red full lips.
His face came down to hers and their lips met; gently,
lightly. He then began kissing her face and neck and
then again to her lips but now more forceful and
prodding. Julia thought her world could never be
sweeter than it was at this moment.
Giving in to her desire, the kiss became a foreplay of
things to come. Travis’s hands burrowed into the hair
and brought her face closer to him. Her arms slid
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around his neck playing with his ears and her hands;
caressing his neck. Their kisses begged for more.
Then just as suddenly as sit had started, he pushed her
away from him. Shocked and frustrated she looked at
him her eyes begging for a reason for so abruptly
stopping something so wonderful.
“Travis did I do something wrong?” She started to cry
and went and sat down by the creek. Travis walked
over to her and knelt down beside her; his warm brown
eyes were filled with pain and something else. Julia
thought she detected fear.
“Julia, I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have done that. It was
so wrong.” Julia looked at him her eyes registering hurt
and questioning.
“Why Travis. Why shouldn’t you have done that? Is it
so wrong to love?”
Travis jumped up and then turned to face her.
“You don’t understand,” he yelled at her as one in
agony. “I owe it to myself to be faithful. I am not able
to do this.”
He turned and left her and returned to his seat at the
feast. Chief Wise Eagle saw the look in his eyes and
sighed. He loved his friend but did not understand the
bondage of loyalty he had to a dead wife. After a few
minutes Julia returned to the feast and sat on the other
side of Chief Wise Eagle. The dream like trance of the
feast was no more.
When the dance was over, Chief Wise Eagle stood and
all music stopped. He spoke in a loud and commanding
voice.
“My people, it is an honor to have our brother Travis
and sister Julia Carwood here with us tonight. Travis
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has a place with our family and has a place with us
among the people. Now we must honor Julia as the
provider of our feast.” He turned to Julia and offered
her his hand.
“Julia, come and stand with me.”
Julia stepped up to the chief and he turned her so she
was facing the people of the tribe. A figure dressed in a
cloak with a large feathered headdress started walking
toward her His face was impassive.
His dark eyes mirrored the fire and its brightness
reflected itself in the gold paint that covered his
forehead. There were drawings on his chest and Julia
wondered what they meant. Holding some kind of
scepter in his hand the Indian Medicine Man started
chanting and singing.
Attached to his wrists were turkey feather fans. The
fans were decorated with rawhide fringe with bull tails
hanging from the back of the fans. He then began
dancing around a cedar post structure that was in the
center of the village.
Clear Waters had explained to Julia that the structure
was sacred. The structure known as the Numokh
Mukana or Lone Man was very significant. Lone Man
was like the white man’s Maho Peneta or Great Spirit
Jesus.
The legend said that Lone Man saved the people from a
great flood that covered the whole earth. He built a
wooden stockade which magically held back all the
water.
Persecuted by another being known as Maninga or
Maho Penekheka meaning evil spirit, Maninga came as
the flood. Lone Man thought and thought how he could
win against the spirit that was against his people. He
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decided to lure Maninga to the stockade appealing to
his greed.
Throwing the most beautiful shells he could find over
the stockade, Maninga’s eyes lit up at the beauty of the
stones. Being a greedy spirit, Maninga stopped the
flood to get the shells but he could not reach the shells
with the water being so deep. Commanding it to
recede, the ravaging force of the receding water swept
Maninga away to the bowels of the earth never to be
seen again.
The medicine man took a pouch that was hanging on
his arm and reached into it. Throwing some sort of
powder into the fire, it exploded and sent sparks flying
while emitting squealing sounds.
Julia startled out of her reverie, looked around the
camp. Every face focused on the medicine man’s
movements that were now becoming slower and
graceful and quieter. As if signaled by an unseen
conductor, the medicine man stopped; in concert with
him so did the drumbeat. Everything came to a halt
and the medicine man stood still and cocked his head
as if he was listening for something to happen. The
only sound heard was the crackling of the fire and the
rustling wind through the branches of the pine trees.
Everyone jumped as an eerie call echoed through the
forest. It was almost a wail more than a call. Lone and
mournfully it sang out into the dark night. The
medicine man slowly straightened up, turned, walked
up to Chief Wise Eagle and whispered something in his
ear. Chief Wise Eagle stood up and faced his people.
“The spirits have spoken. The loon has cried out its’
voice to seal its’ spirit with Julia. She has become one
with it. Her new name will be Crying Bird Woman of the
Lake. She will be a deliverer. As the Loon delivered us
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through her call to show us this land, Julia will be a
deliverer to those around her.”
The medicine man approached holding a bag in his
hands. Tying the bag around her neck; the Medicine
Man uttered some words and threw powdered dust
upon Julia. After the powdering, the people of the tribe
got up and started to cheer.
The festivities began again and everyone, out of
respect to Julia, came up to congratulate her. Looking
back at Travis to see if he would share in the happiness
of her honor, Julia’s face fell when she saw he was no
longer there.
Much later when the feasting was over and Julia lay in
warm bedding in Clear Waters lodge, she looked in the
bag that the medicine man had given her. It contained
what she figured were the feathers of a loon, a
beautiful rock with a brilliant gold color, and some
herbs. Decorated on a pebble was a perfect picture of a
loon.
Cradling the bag to her chest Julia replayed in her mind
all the happenings of the night. Never really feeling a
part of anything; she felt more welcomed by these
people than she ever had. It felt good to belong.
Wondering where Travis went caused her to ponder on
what had happened tonight. Feelings and emotions she
had never experienced before came back to her in vivid
remembrance. Nervous about seeing Travis tomorrow,
she fell asleep wondering what would happen in the
morning.
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CHAPTER 11
CHAPTER 11
CHAPTER 11
CHAPTER 11
Early in the morning Clear Waters woke Julia up
shaking her gently. Sitting up and rubbing her eyes
Julia hated to move from the warmth of her blankets.
“It is time to leave.” Clear Waters said as she handed
Julia a cup of tea. “Travis has come for you.” A sigh
escaped from Julia and she knew she would have to
face Travis this morning no matter what.
“I have asked him for a small amount of time with
which to say good-bye.” She smilingly, handed Julia a
deerhide pouch filled with several items. “It is with
pleasure that I give you this. It has things in it that will
be memories of our time with you; the dress you wore
last night, some jewelry, the moccasins and some good
luck charms.” The smile left her face when she looked
into the eyes of Julia. Knowing what had happened last
night, she knew the girl might be apprehensive having
to face Travis this morning.
She also knew where Travis had gone during the feast.
He had gone to see Owl Woman the oldest member of
the tribe. The woman was too old to attend the
festivities and was readying herself for the long winter
of sleep. This was the year for her to meet the Great
Spirit. No longer able to eat well and full of pain she
had already said good-bye to her family and had given
away most of her possessions. She and Travis had
formed a close relationship over the years and she had
acted as a mother mentor for Travis in his deepest time
of sorrow.
Clear Waters tried to comfort Julia. “Do not be afraid,
Crying Bird Woman of the Lake. The loon spirit is
powerful. They are small but they are strong and
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fiercely territorial and when they mate it is forever. It
is with instinct that they live their life as with all things.
Learn to understand your heart and it will lead you in
the right direction.” Julia smiled gratefully at Clear
Waters. She had found a sister and a friend and no
matter what happened between her and Travis she
knew she would always have Clear Waters and the
people to rely on if she had a need.
Travis was watching the young children play as he was
waiting for Julia. Musing over his visit with Owl Woman
it never failed to amaze him how easily these people
dealt with life. They were one with the earth and
everything had its time and season. Dying was just a
natural part of living. He was thinking about something
else that the old woman had said to him. Smoking her
pipe and looking at him with still amazingly clear
piercing eyes; she had said something totally out of the
ordinary.
“You hang onto death my son. It is like a vise that
holds on to you and keeps you from moving to the left,
then to the right. It is as though your body is stiff with
death and cannot release itself to live again.” She saw
the look of steeled anger in his face but she knew he
was an honest man and was hearing truth and could
not deny it. Trying to ease his anger, she teased him.
“Do you want to stay here this winter and visit the
Maho Peneta with me?” She chuckled and touched his
hand and then raised hers in a quick motion. “Oh my it
is almost as cold as mine!” Cackling again, she started
to cough and the spasms racked her tender body.
Travis knelt over and patted her back. He no longer felt
anger but concern and sadness at the knowledge that
this time next year he would not hear her teasing
admonitions.
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“Old woman gives much advice and never follows it
herself. Where is your medicine I brought you?” She
clucked her tongue and waved him away.
“No use to keep something going that is no longer
worth keeping.” Travis lovingly gazed at the woman
whom he now called mother. Her hair was brilliant
white; still thick and always meticulously braided. Her
frail body crooked with age and arthritis was unable to
allow her to do anything but walk a short distance.
Crags and lines deeply imprinted themselves into her
sun burned age spotted face.
“I am past the time of usefulness. I wish to see my
mother, Long Grass and my husband, Rides with the
Wind. He will be there in all his glory waiting for me. I
have lived a long and good life. There is no end to life,
Travis, unless you end it yourself in your heart.” Travis
nodded his head and taking the old woman’s hands in
his; he looked at her with tears in his eyes.
“I know what you are saying is true mother. I just can’t
seem to make my heart understand so my mind can let
my body be able to feel again.” He looked at her and
the agony she saw in his eyes made her heart hurt.
“You must choose life or death my son.” She gently
advised. “There is no other way. I will pray to Maho
Peneta that He will show you clearly what you must do.
Reaching into her parfleche bag, she brought out an
exquisite necklace intricately designed with brilliant
blue stones with gold rock insets. Some of the blue
stones had complex paintings on them. She handed it
to Travis.
“I want you to have this my son.”
Travis looked at it in amazement understanding its’
value.
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“It is beautiful mother; much too fine for this son.”
Looking at it closer, he said. “This does not look like
Mandan work.” He examined it closer. “Where did you
get this?”
“My husband traded six of his best horses for this to
give to me as a wedding present.” Owl Woman beamed
with pride. “My husband told me he traded for it from a
tribe many moons from here in a land that has nothing
but rocks and sand and red earth. He said these people
build their homes in rock and that the homes are one
on top of the other. I could never imagine such a thing
but my husband said it is so. I want you to have this,
my son. Give it to the woman of your heart. The magic
in it is very strong. My husband and I were in love until
the end.”
“I will mother.” Travis and the old woman hugged one
last time and spoke their farewells. With a heavy heart
Travis left her lodge and retired for the night.
“Travis?” Brought back to reality, Travis turned and
was face to face with Julia. They both stood for a
moment, neither of them knowing what to say. The
strong emotions of last night had not worn down and it
took everything within them not to rush into each
other’s arms and start again. Unfortunately neither one
knew what the other was thinking and hurt feelings
and stubbornness kept communication at bay. Julia
broke the silence.
“Is it time to go?”
“Yes.” Travis took the packages out of her hands.
Gazing out towards the front of the camp he pointed.
“The horses are over there. I guess we better get
going.”
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Leading her to the horses, Travis felt heaviness in his
heart. Travis relished in the freedom these people had.
He also knew, as they knew, that time was merely
waiting for the last catalyst to occur which would seal
their fate in history. Chief Wise Eagle told Travis that it
was time for his people to return to their land. Many of
the Hidatsa based Indians were gathering to unite at
Knife River in North Dakota and they were going to
leave before winter blew in long and cold. It saddened
Travis to think that he would not see these people
again. They had become a second family to him. It was
his place of refuge. A place he had made many happy
memories; where he had made another memory last
night and self destructively ended it.
As Julia and Travis set off for home, the entire tribe
stood and bid them farewell. Waving his or her good-
byes, each person silently said a prayer for the couple’s
safe return.
Chief Wise Eagle and Clear Waters stood side by side.
Their prayer was specific. Seeing the way Travis and
Julia had looked at each other; they prayed that their
hearts would unite.
Travis and Julia self absorbed in nervousness and
enclosed in their thoughts, started their journey home.
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CHAPTER 12
CHAPTER 12
CHAPTER 12
CHAPTER 12
Travis and Julia reached home towards noon. Talk was
sparse and very general. Neither one questioned nor
explained the night before. Theirs was an unspoken
agreement. Silence would be the agreed action
regarding the experience.
Time passed; things went back to the same routine
and life was getting back to normal. Travis and Julia
would never admit it, out of insecurity or pride, but
something had changed. Having crossed the line of
propriety, Travis and Julia could not forget the nights
during the trip to the Indian village. Images sensations
and longings of what the other felt like in each other’s
arms tortured them. The passion they felt when they
had kissed for the first time would jump out at one or
the other while doing a simple deed of the day. Trying
to avoid each other, everyone around them noticed
how the two people had changed toward one another.
Time passed by and the urgency of their passion
disappeared but neither Travis or Julia could forget the
lingering emotions of the events of that night.
Remembrance would come to the mind of one or the
other, causing a private struggle with the pain.
Evening had come to the end of another busy day.
With the dishes washed and the kitchen clean, Julia
was listening to the children read to her. It was getting
colder now and they were sitting on the leather couch
curled up in blankets and pillows. Her eyelids were so
heavy; she could barely keep her eyes open. It had
been a busy day with everyone helping with the wood
stacking and hauling in of supplies for a long winter's
hibernation. Travis told Julia that she had better be
ready to become house bound because the amount of
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snow they got would become burdensome and getting
outside would be a problem.
Travis was not comfortable with this slip of a girl being
able to exist here with the oncoming season of cold,
especially when she had not experienced snow before,
but she was here now and there was nothing he could
do about it. Julia had spent the most part of the day
restocking her larders and pantries and root cellars.
Julia knew as the snow pack grew, they would not be
able to make the trip to Mournful. It was her
responsibility to see that things would run as smooth
as possible for Travis.
Mavis had snuggled herself on Julia’s lap. Breathing
soft and regular, the rhythm lulled Julia to a drowsy
state. David was taking laborious time reading his story
in between the yawns that kept reoccurring during the
storytelling. In a few minutes, they were all asleep.
Travis coming in tired from some late chores stopped
as he viewed the scene in front of him. They were all
sitting together nestled among each other asleep. He
stood for a moment staring at them. It was a feeling he
couldn’t quite identify that caught hold of his heart as
he watched the three of them snuggled up together.
He didn’t blame Julia for falling asleep. The girl had
been working herself to the bone today. The news of
the Harvest Festival was all over the valley. It was six
weeks away and everyone would be going into
Mournful for a weekend of festivities. Travis was
working everyone to his or her limit, as there was still
a great deal of work to do with winter around the
corner. The whole ranch was bustling with the
gathering up of the stores as Julia called it.
Smiling at some of the terms she came up with he
walked toward the trio of sleepers. Picking up Mavis he
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carried her upstairs. He stared down at the child’s face
as he carried her. She looked so much like Suzanne.
Sometimes he would look at Mavis and see something
she’d do that was so much like her mother he would
thank God that at least he still had something of his
wife in his little girl. He set Mavis down on her bed and
gently undressed her. Attempting to tuck her
underneath the covers, she woke up slightly and
wrapped her arms around his thick neck.
“Night pa.” She mumbled.
Travis didn’t experience tenderness a lot but the feel of
the child’s little hand in his as he pulled them from his
neck brought tears to his eyes. He wished she had a
mother to give her the feminine traits she would need
as she got older. Giving her a kiss and telling her
goodnight, he returned to the living room.
Picking up David, he repeated the process and put him
to bed. He ruffled the young boy’s head proud of the
child who would someday inherit whatever Travis
attained in his lifetime. The boy must have been dead
dog-tired. He never woke.
By the time Travis got back downstairs, Julia was
groggily sitting up rubbing her eyes and yawning.
Fingering her hands through her hair, her eyes carried
a sleepy look to them and her skin flushed with the
heat the three bodies had generated was pink and
gleaming in the lamplight.
Travis stood frozen and stared at this person who had
so abruptly entered his life. He had to stop himself
from taking her in his arms and showing her how
beautiful he thought she was. He longed to touch that
lovely skin of hers and possess what he knew to be a
fiery and passionate nature. His craving to kiss that
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wonderful mouth and feel her tenderness within was
more than he could bear. His body reacted to his
thoughts and he immediately hated himself for it. Julia
the innocent sleepily smiled at him.
“Sorry, I guess I am more tired than I thought. I better
go to bed.” She could not understand the look in his
eyes. He looked so strange as he stared at her. She felt
uneasy and almost scared at the passionate glint in his
eyes. He started walking towards her; she started
breathing heavily as he came closer.
The mood suddenly altered as they jerked their heads
toward the kitchen reacting to a crash they heard in
the back of the house. The horses started screaming,
and the cows started bellowing with fear. Looking at
each other in fear and surprise, Travis let out a groan.
He held out his hand and turning his palm toward her
he warned her to stay put.
“Stay here. It’s old Marlowe.” Travis raced to his room
and came back with a rifle that he was quickly loading.
“Travis who is Marlowe?” Julia shaking with tension had
knelt down handing him the leather bag of
ammunition.
“Just my old nemesis.” Travis smiled and looked down
at her frightened face. “He is a grizzly that comes down
through here every fall. Don’t worry everything will be
all right.” He got up to race to the kitchen, calling back
to her he shouted. “Get the other gun that’s in the
hutch in my bedroom and follow me.”
Julia raced to the bedroom and got the gun. Bringing
the gun down to her, she opened up the chamber and
saw ammunition in it. Then she raced out of the room
hoping Travis was waiting for her. By the time she got
to the kitchen Travis had already gotten outside and
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was creeping to the barn where Marlowe was wreaking
havoc.
“You mangy son of a cuss.” Travis yelled over the
bear’s growls. Julia saw him face to face with old
Marlowe. Her heart caught in her throat. How could
Travis ever think he could fight with this beast?
The bear was at least nine feet tall. He was standing
upright with his massive front feet in the air. His head
was turning from side to side as if he could not figure
out what to do. His eyes, black as coal and empty of
any compassion were examining Travis--watching his
every move.
Intently examining the situation, he waited for the
human to make a slip, show some weakness; then he
would move in for the kill. The claws on Marlowe’s
paws were at least seven inches long and curved to
expertly dig into anything he had a mind to examine.
Julia swallowed hard as she observed the massive
mouth of teeth that the bear kept open while he
growled out his warnings. She watched the two
adversaries continue to eye each other. Julia didn’t
know which looked the fiercest, Travis or the grizzly
bear.
Travis raised the gun to his shoulder and took aim as
the bear stood and growled the loudest war call that
Julia ever heard. It seemed to fill every piece of air and
sent shivers down her spine. All of a sudden the doors
to the barn flew open. A stray cow raced out in
hysterics. The movement knocked Travis into the
bear’s chest. It was a free for all.
Julia sucked in a deep breath when she heard Travis
scream. The bear had him in a hold with his claws
ripping into Travis’s back. His mouth was around
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Travis’s head and she saw the bear ripping his coat into
shreds. Blood was now covering Travis’s face and back.
His arms hung limply to his side and Julia felt herself
dying as she watched the only man she ever loved
dying or already dead.
Lifting the gun in her shaking hands she flung the
kitchen door open and stepped down the stairs and
onto the ground. Through her tears she aimed the gun
and shot and cocked and shot again. The first shot sent
the bear into a shocked frozen moment. He then
screamed out another howl and threw Travis down to
the ground.
He started toward Julia but she continued to shoot
without fear, without knowledge. He was about five
feet from her when she aimed the gun again hitting the
bear in the forehead. Trying to shoot again but out of
ammunition, Julia saw the bear lunging towards her.
Wondering if she could get back into the house she
decided against it; afraid he might follow her inside
putting the children in danger.
She stood there figuring that death was imminent once
again in her young life. The bear clumsily stepped
forward as if rallying his strength to forge ahead, then
he stiffened, his eyes rolled up and he fell backwards.
Silence filled the air for a few seconds. Julia opened her
eyes afraid to see what might be happening. The bear
was in a crumpled heap seemingly dead. Crouching
and trembling with fear, she was afraid to go to Travis
scared that the bear would recover and catch her as
she went to him.
Upon hearing a low moan from Travis, Julia regained
her courage. She stumbled over the bear with legs that
would barely carry her. Falling over Travis she patted
his bloodied face to see if any life still existed.
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The sight was not a pretty one. Blood was pouring from
many parts of his body and she observed how his once
beautiful form was now mangled and forever scarred.
She frantically looked around for help. Opening her
mouth she thought she screamed out for help but her
voice sounded weak and distant. The buzzing in her
ears encompassed everything and dizziness threatened
to overtake her.
Within a few moments Candy and a few men came
running to the barn.
“We heard shots. What’s happening?” They looked at
the bloody scene and ran to Travis.
“He needs a doctor.” Candy shouted to the men as he
was trying to stop the bleeding. “Let’s get him into the
house.”
Julia clutched at Candy. Her eyes were frantic. She
couldn’t lose it now.
“Candy, where can I get the doctor?” Candy was frantic
with fear himself.
“The only doctor we have now is Augusta Reiner,” he
cried. “I don’t know if she can handle this or make it in
time.”
Giving directions to the men they carefully picked
Travis up and started to carry him into the house. The
worried look in his eyes told Julia that he didn’t have
much hope.
“I suppose we better get Augusta, Miss Julia.” Candy
looked down at his friend. “The sooner the better.” “I’ll
get him bedded down and I’ll go for her.” “I’ll go for
her. She’ll help him Candy.” Julia said through her
tears and fright. “She has to.”
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Racing toward the barn, she was bringing the saddle
toward Travis’s horse when Candy flew in behind her.
“Whoa there girl! I can’t have both of you being killed.
Come on back now Julie.” He pulled at her arm.
“Candy go back and help Travis!” She screamed at
him. Shrugging off his touch, she headed for the horse.
“I left him with Dick Wildhorse. He knows more
medicine than I do. I can’t let you do this ma’am.” He
tried to catch her but she was moving too fast. Then he
saw her headed for the black stallion.
“Whoa there young gal. I can’t have you riding this
horse.” Candy placed himself in front of her. “This here
is Travis’s horse Killer. He won’t let anyone near him.
Ma’am he’ll kill ya.” Julia snorted a derisive laugh.
“Candy there isn’t a horse around that will mess with
me.” She approached Killer and looked him in the eye.
With a voice of strength that shocked Candy, she
talked to the animal.
“Now we either can do this hard or easy. Your master
needs help and you are carrying me to get it. I don’t
want any problems with you because I am not in the
mood. You hear me.”
Killer’s ears flipped back and forth and his eyes
widened. Candy thought it was going to be the end of
the girl; but she flung the saddle on him and started to
winch it. Killer backed up as if ready to start his Indian
whoop dance but in a sharp and loud voice, Julia told
him to stop and the horse snorted and relaxed. Finally
ready, she placed her hands on Killer's neck and began
to massage it. In a soft and kind voice she whispered
to the horse.
“Don’t be afraid now Killer. We are doing this for
Travis.” Cooing and talking softly to the horse, she very
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carefully and gently put her foot in the stirrup. Letting
him take that in and continuing to gently speak to the
horse she then pulled herself onto the horse. Sitting
there for a few seconds she continued to speak softly
to the horse. Then she told him they had to go.
Nudging him with her thighs the horse and the girl
sped off toward the setting sun.
“Well I’ll be!” Candy stood there putting his hands
through his hair. He prayed her Godspeed. He watched
the young girl with her golden red hair flying behind
her. Expertly guiding the horse to a racing run she
dissolved into the blackness becoming only a memory.
Candy stood there for a second and then ran back to
the house to minister to Travis as best as he could.
It was a full moon that night and Julia was grateful for
that. The shimmery light was enough to light the path
she had come to know so well. Julia knew by the time
she got there Travis might be dead but she had to try.
By eight o’clock tired and dirty she reached Augusta’s
home. She tethered the horse and ran up the porch.
Banging on the door, exhausted and out of breath, she
leaned onto the pillar that held up the porch.
“What in tarnation?” Augusta with her bathrobe all
askew and her hair in a tangled gray mess opened the
door with a rifle in her hands. “Landsakes, Julie girl?
What’s the matter?”
Julia passed out in Augusta’s arms and Augusta picked
her up and took her into her kitchen. Plying brandy into
the young woman’s mouth that brought her back to
life; Augusta was eager to know why Julia had come all
this way.
The sun was now setting earlier in the evening so it
must have been very important for her to come this far
in the dark. Julia’s long eyelashes fluttered and she
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121
immediately latched her hands onto Augusta’s arms
and looked with fear-laden eyes into the old woman’s
concerned face.
“Travis, he needs you. Marlowe, please come.”
Exhausted by her hard riding, it was all she could do to
speak the words.
“Give me a minute honey.” Augusta hurriedly raced to
her room, dressed and packed a bag figuring she’d be
with them for a while. She ran to get her rig. Attaching
lamps to the side of the wagon she then tied Julia’s
horse to it, raced into the kitchen got her medical
supplies and they headed for Travis's. Julia quieted
down and finally fell asleep which is what the old
person knew she needed. She had been through a lot
this night.
Marlowe was a legend on this Montana landscape.
Every fall he would wreak havoc on the farms in this
area. He was a mean and heartless grizzly named after
a legendary mountain person known for his
unscrupulous and mean personality. Many people had
lost stock to this carnivorous predator.
Travis’s home, unknown to him when he built the
house, was right in Marlowe’s seasonable path down to
the blackberry bushes that grew in abundance around
the lake. Every fall when Marlowe came down to eat
the berries Travis had to contend with him.
Augusta knew what damage a bear like Marlowe could
inflict on a human and she prayed to God that Travis
could hang on until she got to the house. It was ten in
the evening when they reached Travis’s home. Augusta
raced into the house and left Julia to take care of the
horse and rig. She knew time was of the essence if
Travis was even alive at this point.
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Entering Travis’s bedroom, Augusta saw the situation
was critical. Travis was very pale. His breathing was
shallow. The bed and bedding looked like a blood bath
filled with Travis’s blood.
“Candy." she yelled, “Start boiling some water. Take
my supplies and put them in the water while it’s
boiling. I need some alcohol and the herbs in my bag.
This man may not make it through the night if he
doesn’t get help immediately.” Rolling up her sleeves
and dipping her hands in the water bowl, she
thoroughly washed her hands and proceeded to
examine Travis’s wounds.
Two little children awakened by all the commotion were
unnoticed, as they stood at the top of the stairs afraid
to know what was happening downstairs. It had been
this way when their mother had died and they did not
want to go through that again unless they had to. Filled
with fear and sleepiness, the two children peered down
through the stair railing and watched the proceedings
with alarmed eyes.
Julia walked into the room. She kept her eyes to the
floor. Exhausted by the trip she walked slowly and
clumsily across the thick carpet. She inadvertently
lifted her face to the children’s rooms and her heart
ached seeing the children lonely and scared hugging
each other on the stairs. Realizing their immediate
need she heavily labored up the steps and took each
child in her arms.
“There has been an accident. Marlowe and your daddy
had a fight. Marlowe’s dead and your daddy took a
beating.”
“Is my daddy dead?” David looked at Julia with tear
filled eyes.
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123
“No David.” Julia hugged the children tighter. “We are
going to pray very hard that God is going to work a
miracle here and help your daddy.
Both children nodded. They went into Julia’s room, sat
on her bed and prayed. When they finished, both
children begged Julia to let them sleep with her. She
decided it was ok and figured that she would stay with
them only until they fell asleep and then she would go
see how Travis was. It was late afternoon before the
three of them woke up.
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124
CHAPTER 13
CHAPTER 13
CHAPTER 13
CHAPTER 13
“Hello dear.” Augusta whispered to Julia as Julia came
into Travis’s room to see how he was doing. Augusta
looked worn out. She had been sitting with Travis all
night and into the afternoon.
“He’s gone from dead to alive and back again. He
certainly has a will to live.” She rubbed her eyes and
scratched her head. “He spiked a fever early this
morning and I thought we had lost him. I think he’s out
of danger now but it’s gonna take a long time for him
to recover.”
Julia looked at Travis. He was lying on his stomach with
his face to the side. His forehead, badly gashed, was
expertly stitched by Augusta who was now preparing to
bandage it. It would leave a scar, but at least he still
had not suffered a horrible deformity. He looked very
pale and on the other side of death. His body moved up
and down with labored breathing and Augusta
explained that he had several broken ribs.
“His back is the worst part. It will never look the same.
Marlowe really made mincemeat out of it. I’ve stitched
up most of the cuts, but there will be scars.” She
grimaced as she raised the sheet to show Julia all the
stitch work that put his body back together again.
“He’s such a beautiful man.” Honey, will you help me
put him on his back? He needs to be shifted every few
hours.” Taking the sheet Augusta and Julia pulled
Travis to the side of the bed. Then they took the sheet
and pulled it over him turning him onto his back.
Moaning in his drugged sleep, Augusta lifted Travis’s
head and fluffed a pillow to lay underneath it.
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125
Julia felt sick as she looked upon Travis’s deformed
body. She raised her hand to her mouth and uttered an
anguished cry. Augusta looked at Julia and saw what
she had known the minute Julia had clutched her in the
kitchen. The girl was in love with Travis.
Julia’s expression became tender and fearful. She went
up to the bed and picked up Travis’s hand. Then she
sat on the chair next to the bed.
“You go get some sleep Augusta. I’ll take over for
awhile. Just tell me what to look for and I’ll come and
get you if there are any complications.”
“What about the children honey?” Augusta saw the love
in Julia’s eyes.
“Candy is with them right now. He’s keeping them busy
doing chores around the house.” Julia’s eyes never left
Travis’s face. “I told them after dinner they might be
able to come and see their daddy.” Augusta nodded.
“Okay honey. Let me just bandage his head and chest
and then I’ll take a rest.” I’ll go get some sleep and
freshen up. “Julia, I think he’s going to be fine.” “We
just have to watch for infection.” August finished with
the bandaging and instructed Julia to let her know if he
seemed to be in pain or felt feverish. Then she left to
get some badly needed rest.
Alone with Travis, Julia looked down at the man who
meant so much to her. Little bits of his hair peeked out
from the bandages that now encircled his head. His
eyes and lips seemed to be twice their size. His mouth
looked dry and chapped. She tried get some water
down him but it just came out the sides of his mouth.
Looking past the scars, he was still the handsome man
she had first met the day she arrived in Mournful. Does
it happen this fast? Julie wondered as she caressed
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126
Travis with her eyes. This man could make her more
angry than anyone else in her life and yet he made her
feel alive and excited to be in his presence. She didn’t
know how he felt about her but she knew that if he
were to die a little light in her life would die out with
him.
She reached out to his face and cooled it with a towel
she dipped into a bowl next to Travis’s bed. She then
took her hand and traced his face and lips and gave
him comfort in the only way she knew. She continued
to stroke his face and arms hoping somehow in his
sleep it would bring him comfort and peace.
“Suzanne.” Travis started to mumble. “I need you but
you’re not there.” Julia was dumbstruck. Who was
Suzanne? This was the second time he had mentioned
her. Then it dawned on her. Travis was talking to his
wife. He restlessly moved his legs and his handsome
face contorted in despair. “I’ll never love anyone but
you. She makes it so hard.”
Julia wondered whom Travis was talking about. Who
makes it so hard? Julia felt like crying. It was just her
luck that the first time she felt something for a man, he
was in love with another.
Lightly placing her hands on his chest, Julia knew this
would probably be the last time she would ever be this
near to him again. Devouring him with her eyes, she
tenderly stroked his face and the upper parts of his
shoulders that were not bandaged. Her hair brushed
him gently and even in his sleep he smelled the smell
of violets.
Grabbing her arms, Travis pulled her toward him. Julia
did not know what to do but thinking that he believed
her to be Suzanne she let him pull her to him and he
sought comfort with a kiss. His hand tenderly held her
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127
face to his and his mouth touched her with such
tenderness that she thought she would swoon.
As with any man who has known physical love but has
lived without for a while, the kiss became hungry and
aggressive. His mouth opened and his tongue sought
the inside of her mouth. Julia shyly let his tongue enter
her and the feelings it invoked in her were alien and
beautiful. She started to moan and the feeling she had
felt before crept down to the most inner parts of her
body.
She wanted more. She wanted to experience it all. She
felt herself falling and falling into the emotions that the
kiss evoked in her.
Finally Travis weakened and fell asleep again. Julia sat
by his bedside filled with desperate emotions and
uncertain feelings. She would not leave him now and
stayed with him until Augusta returned.
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128
CHAPTER 14
CHAPTER 14
CHAPTER 14
CHAPTER 14
Life on the Parnell Ranch was difficult to say the least
without Travis. There were many chores to do and Julia
found herself so busy she didn’t have time to think
about the romantic encounter that afternoon in Travis’s
bedroom.
Candy and some of the men took turns cutting wood
and doing the hard part of the ranching duties. The
rest of the men carried on the lumber business. Julia
took care of the horses, cleaned out the stalls, milked
the cows and maintained the house duties.
The men marveled at how well Julia adjusted to
ranching. She could ride with the best of them and her
expertise with difficult horses amazed them. She got
everyone on a schedule so that no one would have to
have longer hours than anyone else with all the extra
work needing to done.
They were now coming to her for the important
decisions as though she was already the mistress of
the house. She could be tough when making decisions
and soft as butter if someone got injured when they
were working.
Augusta realized this was the something special she
had seen in Julia. She was a survivor. She knew how to
be genteel when the need arose and rough as anyone
else when the situation arose.
Augusta heard the men talking about the expert shot
Julia had made in Marlowe. The mangy cuss was killed
by someone with the expertise to nail him with 3 bull's
eye shots into his brain. Julia was right. Her Uncle
Paddy had taught her well.
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129
Augusta also noticed that the girl was starting to
blossom and become a very vibrant woman. She saw
how the men admired her and some even wanted to
get close with her. Julia was totally oblivious to all this
and because she was so innocent, Augusta was afraid
that she might be fair game for a lady's man. She
didn’t quite know how to speak with the girl, but if Julia
and Travis were ever to get together, she was going to
have to say something before Travis got better. The
men were already eyeing her with anticipation.
Travis was now conscious and upright but he was still
very weak from the lack of blood and could not sit for a
long amount of time. Julia was so busy that she didn’t
have time to see him except when she brought the
children to him to say hello; once in the morning and
once before they said goodnight.
Julia looked forward to the evening visits because she
could spend more time with him and even though the
children occupied most of the visit, she just enjoyed
being in his presence. She was getting ready for
tonight’s visit, fixing her hair, when the children came
into her room and impatiently asked her to hurry.
“Come on Julia, pa’s waiting.” David pulled on Julia’s
arm. “You look ok.”
“Juwe come!” Mavis looked sternly at Julia with her
hands on her hips. Julia had to hide a smile as the child
tried so hard to be authoritative.
Finishing the touches to a very pretty powder blue
simple lined dress, she decided to see if she could do
something with her hair. Picking up a comb, she pulled
her hair up and wound it into a bun. She was going to
put the comb in it when David squawked at her.
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130
“Naw, don’t do that Julia. Leave your hair down. Your
hair is too pretty to put on top of your head. “Pa says
you have the prettiest hair in the county.”
“He does?” Julia felt herself blush. “Well then I guess
we better get going then.”
“Yes ma’am; let’s go.” She put her hands out, each
child took a hand and they walked to Travis’s room.
Julia felt butterflies in her stomach every time she
knew she was going to see Travis.
Unbeknownst to Julia, Travis had become just as eager
as her for these visits. He loved seeing his children but
he was becoming accustomed to her smiling face and
sparring ways. One day she might be gentle and
gracious and the next a little hellion who wanted to
beat him in a mean game of poker. He didn’t know
where she learned to play poker but she could play
with the best and Travis loved a challenge. She was
like a chameleon and he became more and more
enamored with this girl with golden red hair.
The children adored Julia and she them and they
afforded her more comfort than she could ever
express. The Parnell household was becoming a home
again. Julia infused into the home a lightness of
femininity and youth which never had been a part of
the house even when Suzanne occupied it.
Augusta was well aware of the way the two people
looked at each other but she was also aware of Travis’s
obsession with Suzanne. She wished he could see the
love in Julia’s eyes but he was a man and men never
saw what they needed to see. If there was some way
for her to get them together, she would find a way.
The plan came sooner than Augusta thought. News
traveled fast in the small community and Travis’s
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131
encounter with old Marlowe was the talk of the town.
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief when they heard the
old grizzly was dead. When they heard who killed him
they were even more surprised.
Miss Marla Pearson, the nearest thing to a girlfriend
Travis had, was in her retail store in Mournful when she
heard of the accident. When she heard how the bear
was killed, she moved into emergency mode. Dropping
everything, she left the store in the hands of her
assistant and headed for Mourning. It was somewhat
irritating to her that a little frail copperhead governess
might just be a little more substantial than Marla had
perceived. She was in love with Travis and she wanted
him. If anyone was going to have him she was.
Marla was a born and bred Savannah, Georgia girl.
Against her wishes, she moved to Mournful with her
older husband Randall Pearson who was a wealthy
merchant that wanted a taste of the old west. He also
wanted Marla for himself.
Meeting Marla at a society ball, he thought she was the
most beautiful woman he had ever seen. Being older
by ten years Randall began a slow and careful
courtship with Marla who was very young and very
flighty. Courting her for several months, along with
many other gentlemen much younger than himself, he
finally asked for her hand in marriage. Much to his
surprise she accepted.
Randall’s sister warned him that Marla was marrying
him for his money. It was becoming knowledge that
the family had come into some severe financial
problems. Randall dismissed her warnings. On a
beautiful and warm day in Georgia, the mismatched
couple spoke their vows of undying love then
proceeded to a uneventful honeymoon in New York
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132
where Randall spent an enormous amount of money for
their new home in Georgia.
Marla was a dutiful spouse but it became apparent,
very quickly, that she did not love him in the way he
desired. Cool and aloof in the marriage bed, Randall
soon found that his sister was correct. Swallowing his
pride, he decided to see what benefit she could be to
him and be satisfied with that.
Marla had been well taught in her social graces. She
was very adept at making the person, she was
speaking to, think they were the most special person in
the world. Because of her beauty, charm and wonderful
parties, she became instrumental in helping Randall
become well known in the community.
She was also very adept at discreet affairs. What
excitement she couldn’t find in her marriage, she found
with the young sons of some of Randall’s customers.
Everyone loved Randall and they were discrete about
his wayward wife wanting to protect the kind man. One
day, the protective bubble broke when one of the
young men who was madly in love with Marla
committed suicide. The whole ugly mess was revealed.
Humiliated and angry, Randall quietly wondered what
to do with Marla. The idea came in the dream of
venturing to the great land beyond the East. He sold
his store and announced to Marla that they were going
to move to Montana. She immediately set up a fuss but
he told her that she either could come with him as a
dutiful wife should or she could stay home and he
would divorce her leaving her with nothing.
Having no choice being the realist she was, she
complied and they left Georgia setting up a mercantile
store in Mournful. It was a successful venture and they
immediately became the largest town merchants in the
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133
growing area. Marla was never completely happy in
Mournful but she saw she was the prettiest and the
richest so that gave her some satisfaction.
Randall died five years later, leaving Marla with money,
beauty and youth. She was preparing to return to
Georgia when Travis came to her store for some
supplies. Immediately attracted to his strength and
handsomeness; she found out as much as she could
about him. The fact that he wore a wedding ring
disappointed Marla but she fell in love with him and
swore someday he would be hers.
When Suzanne died, Marla did not grieve; she
planned. She “arranged” for them to meet occasionally
and became a kind ear for Travis to grieve with.
Eventually she knew he would come to rely on her and
rely he did.
She did not ask for anything of him and he did not ask
anything of her. Theirs was a friendship based upon
need and compatibility. They physically enjoyed each
other. Travis thought of it no other way.
In Travis’s world, women like her were taken care of
and petted, but he could never have considered her for
a woman to marry. His feelings for Marla did not run
deep. The young inexperienced idealistic emotions of
love died a long time ago and were laying in a family
grave built some yards from the house. Travis almost
died with the pain from Suzanne’s death and he was
determined never to fall in love again.
For all her experience, Marla never met a man like
Travis before. Used to twisting men around her little
finger, Travis intrigued her because she could not
manipulate him as easily as the other men in her life.
Just when she thought she had him figured out, he
would do something that would baffle her again. The
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134
intrigue made her hold on harder and in holding on
harder she didn’t realize that sometimes he felt stifled.
She understood Travis’s feelings about her. Even in her
society a woman like her was usually never
marriageable. In Travis’s circle, marriageable women
were chaste and pure. Mistresses fed the physical part
of a relationship and they accepted the relationship as
it was. They did not ask for anything in return, except
that they are kept in comfort.
Marla figured what she put in was what she was going
to get out of it. Her objective was marriage. She did
not especially like the idea of children, but once she
married the man she figured she could persuade Travis
to put the children into a private school.
People knew about the relationship but because of their
respect for Travis and the extent his sorrow had been
over Suzanne they considered it his due. They also
knew that one day Miss Marla Pearson was going to
find out she couldn’t have everything she wanted.
Marla’s wagon rolled into the Parnell ranch loaded with
her luggage exactly two weeks after the accident. She
descended upon the household and within minutes it
was in total confusion.
Julia came prancing in with the children and the
tension in the household hit her like a sledge hammer.
She saw Candy leaning on the fireplace hearth with a
disgusted look on his face.
“What’s up Candy. Who's the visitor?” Candy rolled his
eyes and made an exaggerated female strut.
“Her majesty.” He waved his hands towards Travis’s
bedroom and walked out. Augusta huffed out of
Travis’s bedroom with her medicines and announced
broadly,
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135
“I never.” She dumped the supplies on the table by
Julia huffing a big breath through her nose. She
lumbered into the kitchen and started to pour herself a
cup of coffee. Taking a big gulp, she set it down on the
kitchen table and began a tirade of frustration.
“The miss uppity is here now and thinks she can nurse
him back to health without my help! Hmmph, why
one day and she’ll give up. Mark my word, Julie girl.
That’s a bad one, I’ll tell you that.” Augusta took
another gulp of her coffee. “I’ll tell you something else
too. The only things she’ll be able to nurse won’t be his
wounds. If you catch my meaning!” Augusta brought
her hand to her mouth knowing she shouldn’t have said
what she did to Julia when she saw the shocked look
on the girl’s face. Julia had to put her hand to her
mouth to stifle a fit of laughter at the women’s
atrocious statement.
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136
CHAPTER 15
CHAPTER 15
CHAPTER 15
CHAPTER 15
Gently tiptoeing to Travis’s room, Julia shyly peeked in.
She gasped as she observed the woman who was
leaning over Travis Parnell’s sleeping body. Ravishingly
beautiful, dressed in a black and coral finely laced silk
dress, Marla’s peaches and cream skin made her look
like a china doll.
Her jet black hair shined like fine obsidian. She wore it
piled on her head ending in ringlets cascading down
her neck. The graceful tilt of her neck and the slender
rounding of her shoulders revealed a woman definitely
blessed with beauty and grace.
Immediately awed and intimidated by this beautiful
woman Julia watched her every move. Noticing the
intimate and nurturing way the woman was touching
Travis, Julia thought she was observing the rival to
Suzanne he had been mumbling about.
Dropping her hands off the door mantle and turning
with a sigh, Julia felt her heart ache as she very quickly
began a downward descent into self pity. How could
she ever compete with a woman like that? She crossed
her arms around her stomach trying to make some
sense in all that had happened.
Julia experience in the world of male and female
relationship was extremely limited. Though she was
never allowed to be a part of her uncle’s wild lifestyle,
sometimes she would creep down the oak lined
staircase and watch the activities below her. Beautiful
women were a staple in Uncle Paddy’s home
captivating the men who would gather for Paddy’s well
loved gambling parties. They knew how to cajole, flirt,
and spin a web of flattery that would have the men
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137
fighting over them. Seeing what those women could do
to men and the destruction that followed made her
swear to herself that she would never use wiles to
catch a man.
During her time at a boarding house in San Francisco,
Julia had become close to the owners son, Jonathan
Russo. Jonathan was Julia’s first real suitor. Having
much in common, he was a great comforter during
Julia’s lone sojourn in the real world.
Funny, nice and down to earth, he gave Julia her first
kiss and to him it was heaven. When he learned she
had taken a position in Montana he was crushed.
“Don’t you want to be with me Julia? I love you. I
thought we were going to be together forever.” His
eyes were filled with anguish and he pleadingly begged
her to stay with him.
“You don’t understand Jonathan.” Julia stood by a
window in the parlor. A far away wail of a boat whistle
could be heard in the distance. “All my life, I have
been taken care of by someone. I want to do this. I
want to have an adventure in my life to look back on.”
“We could have had an adventure of love and life
together Julia.” Jonathan grabbed her shoulder. He
made her face him.
“Don’t you understand what you are doing? You are
going to a place that is a wilderness. You have no idea
how it could eat up a girl like you. It isn’t even decent
moving in with a family without a woman in it.”
“Decent! Julia shot back at him. “My whole life hasn’t
been decent Jonathan. That is something I am not
worried about. I want out of this city and I want to
start somewhere new. I’m sorry you do not like it.”
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“Then I take it you have made up your mind and
nothing I say is going to change it.” He let go of her
and the pain in his eyes was almost more than Julia
could bear.
“I’m sorry.” Julia said very quietly. “I’m very sorry.”
The next morning, true to his character, Jonathan took
Julia to the train station. Awkwardly speaking nothings
to each other, Julia boarded the train and Jonathan
Russo faded out of her life.
Walking back to her room, Julia looked at herself in a
mirror that was hanging on the wall next to her. She
saw a tired, bedraggled tangle haired waif. She then
looked down at her chest and her clothes and her
hands and resignedly gave up all hope of ever having
her dream come true with Travis.
Instead of staying in her room she decided to go to the
kitchen and eat away her sorrows. Entering the room,
she opened up the ice box looking for something to
eat. Seeing nothing that interested her taste buds, she
closed the door and fell into a chair dejectedly placing
her face into her hands.
“What’s the matter child?” Augusta had been standing
by the sink watching the girl come in.
“Why wasn’t I blessed with beauty and charm
Augusta?” The girl looked so forlorn that Augusta,
smiling and knowing what this was all about, walked
over to the table and sat next to Julia.
“Honey, there is something I need to tell you. Look at
me.” Julia lifted up her head with distraught eyes and
looked at the weather worn older woman. “Men are like
a shapeless piece of clay when it comes to a woman.
You need to mold and shape men into what they need
to be. That’s a woman’s job, yessire! I might add that
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when you are gussied up, you are one heck of a pretty
lady. Why with that hair and skin, you are a dream.
You just need to be more confident of what you have to
offer.
A woman can be a companion, or a woman can be a
heart mate Julia. Some men think they just want a
companion, when what they really need is a heartmate.
Don’t settle for less than a heartmate child. That’s the
only kind of love that lasts.”
Julia wasn’t sure of what Augusta meant; she only
knew the pain in her heart.
“Augusta, Marla is wonderfully pretty isn’t she?”
Augusta started laughing. “Yes, she is pretty enough if
you like that made up prettiness. Wonder what she
looks like when she gets all that paint off her face. She
raised her eyebrows and looked at Julia with a nod.
“Honey, that woman has been hankering over Travis
now for almost a year. Now I won’t say he doesn’t have
some feeling for her, but it isn’t a marrying feeling. It’s
more of a friendship, comfortable feeling. She helped
him during his hard time of losing his wife.”
“What was his wife like?”
“I didn’t really know his wife, child. She was a young
thing, plain and not very friendly. I think she was
overwhelmed with children and trying to survive. She
always looked like she was afraid of something. Travis
loved her though and when she looked at him, that’s
the only time she seemed pretty. She looked at him
with so much love.”
“Do you think I will ever know that kind of love
Augusta?” “I surely do.” Augusta put her arm around
the young girl’s shoulder. “If I have anything to do
about it, you will get exactly the person you need.”
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Julia looked into the face of her friend and smiled.
“Thank you Augusta. You always know how to make
me feel better.” The two women smiled at each-other.
Julia got up and feeling better, decided that she would
go to her room to clean up and then check on the
children.
Leaving the kitchen, she walked back to her room and
sat on the bed. Before she collected her wits, the
woman who was foremost in her thoughts appeared
before her.
“Well, I must say, nursing is a tiring profession.
Augusta told me I could find you here. I was wondering
if you would like to break me for a spell.” Beads of
perspiration had formed on Marla’s upper lip and her
hair was becoming frizzy at the temples. Julia noticed
that in looking closer at this woman she was older than
Julia had first thought.
“Now where are my manners? Glory be, I barge into
your room and shout orders like a Field Marshall. I’m
Marla Pearson, a very close friend, she emphasized
very, of your boss Mr. Parnell. I believe we met some
months ago at Augusta’s. Do you remember that?”
Holding out her perfectly manicured hand to Julia, she
observed the small but attractive woman who stood in
front of her.
“I do remember you. Very nice to meet you. My name
is Julia O’Reilly.
Marla released Julia’s hand and turned to observe
herself in the mirror. She began redoing the damage
her devoted work had done to her.
“Oh my, my, my, I am a mess. Travis wouldn’t give me
another look if I went back in there looking like this.”
Marla was twisting and turning to see how wrinkled she
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was. “I tell you, that is one man who wants his woman
to be perfect.” She licked a curl into place. “He loves a
very well maintained woman.” Glancing curiously at
Julia’s reflection in the mirror she asked the girl. “How
old are you honey?”
Julia mesmerized by this dazzling woman had a hard
time answering.
“What is the matter honey, cat got your tongue?” Marla
turned and gave the girl an equally dazzling smile.
Something in this woman’s manner made Julia’s skin
crawl.
“I’m nineteen.” Julia decided in a moment that she did
not like this woman. She also decided that Travis would
not be happy with her either. The war had begun. Only
she had to find someone who would show her how to
fight it.
“Nineteen! My oh my. It is beyond me why Travis
would hire someone so young. Why some man is gonna
catch your eye and you will be gone before you know
it. Oh well, after we are married, I think the children
should be in a private school. Only the best you know.”
“You and Travis are thinking about getting married?”
Julia felt her stomach cramp.
“Well, he hasn’t said it in so many words, but I think I
can work on him.” Marla watched the young girls facial
expression reflected in the mirror in front of her.
“We’ve been very close for sometime.”
Julia couldn’t wait to get out of the room. She felt
breathless, claustrophobic, and terribly defeated.
“I’d be more than happy to rest you for a period Miss
Pearson. Let me know when you want to begin again.”
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Leaving the room, tears started to form in her
beautiful emerald eyes. Taking a deep breath as
though she needed to bring fresh air to her lungs,
Julia, hurt and depressed, trudged down the hall to
Travis’s room.
Even if Julia did not speak it in words, or even
understand it, deep down in her heart she had done
her claiming. What women instinctively possessed
would be her teachers even though she had no idea of
what she could do. She acknowledged that she loved
Travis, but she was not going to catch him with wiles
and ways. She would just be herself and let the chips
fall where they may.
Julia did not know it but she possessed in her warm
and caring character, what every man wants;
understanding. In the small time she had spent with
Travis, she understood more about him than Marla ever
would. Based upon what she believed about him,
nothing would make her believe he would marry the
woman. Well hardly anything.
~~~
Marla reflected on what she had observed of the young
girl. Certainly she was not ugly. Even bedraggled and
unkempt Julia was still attractive. Marla looked at her
reflection in the mirror. ‘Where has my youth gone?’
she thought. Her once perfect face was now showing
signs of aging. It was still a handsome face but the
freshness she saw in Julia’s youthful looks was gone
and would never return. Time was an enemy Marla
couldn’t control and it was taking its toll on her.
She acknowledged, in her realistic view of life, that
Julia although small and slight possessed a femininity
to her that spoke of class and wholesomeness. Marla
had lost that femininity a long time ago. Her dreams of
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society and a prince charming died the day she
consented to marry Randall Pearson to keep the family
in money. A spark of fear tingled down her spine
wondering if indeed Julia could be a problem.
Marla wondered what Julia looked like dressed up. She
would see how Travis and the girl got along. Then she
would plan her strategy. She was here now and she
was not leaving without a proposal and a ring and
nothing and no one was going to stop her.
~~~
Stepping into Travis’s room, Julia saw that his eyes
were open and he smiled when she walked in.
“Hi there sunshine.” Travis felt his heart catch when
Julia walked in. She was so pretty in her blue dress
which made her hair almost auburn in color. He tried
to pull himself into a sitting position. Julia quickly
moved to assist him.
“Travis you don’t have the energy to swat a fly, let
alone lift your self. Let me help you.” Placing her arms
underneath his armpits she helped him raise himself.
Travis breathed in the scent of Julia and took
advantage of her closeness to admire her creamy skin
and flawless complexion. There was something about
her closeness that seemed right and comfortable; as
though she’d always been with him. He noticed how
tired and worn she looked, but she still looked beautiful
to him.
“Oh that hurts. I feel like I’ve been shot ten times
over.” Travis’s head fell toward Julia’s chest. Again he
smelled the fragrance of violets he had smelled when
he first met her.
“Well sir, that’s what happens when you wrestle with a
bear. You have to watch who you play with.” They both
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laughed and Julia took his face in her hands. “You hear
me mister?”
Looking into Travis’s warm brown eyes, Julia thought
she saw mirrored in their depths a warmness that
spoke of tenderness and desire. Their eyes locked with
each one feeling the same but being too scared to
voice the emotions they were feeling. It was a powerful
overcoming of the senses and their faces moved closer
to one another without thought. Julia feeling scared of
the emotions she was feeling and afraid of being
rejected again blurted out the only thing she could
think of.
“How about a game of poker?”
“Poker?” Marla said as she swept into the room.
“Landsakes honey, what are you trying to do, kill the
man?” Marla had been silently watching the whole time
and jealousy started to seed within her heart as she
saw Travis’s and Julia’s attraction. Julia, dressed in
powder blue with the flushed cheeks of a love-struck
girl was radiant and, she hated to admit, beautiful. She
now knew the answer to her question and she would
take whatever measures to make sure her plan would
succeed.
“This man needs rest. He needs to get big and strong
again. I’m going to make sure of that.” Julia not
knowing if she should leave or stay, watched Travis’s
expression as Marla doted over him. She realized it
wasn’t an expression of love but of patient endurance.
She realized she had a chance and it overjoyed her.
Her hope was short-lived, however, when Marla
planted a kiss on Travis’s mouth and the man did not
stop her. Julia embarrassed by the intimate encounter,
walked out of the room. She did not see the expression
of sadness on Travis’s face as he watched her leave.
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CHAPTER 16
CHAPTER 16
CHAPTER 16
CHAPTER 16
Two weeks had gone by with everything revolving
around Travis’s healing. He was now strong enough to
take a short walk around the house and spend more
time with the children without becoming tired. Those
were the moments he loved the best. He felt whole
with Julia and the children nestled around him playing,
teasing and fighting.
Marla was great but she babied him too much and all
that prancing and fussing was making him nervous. He
had never lied to her regarding his feelings about their
relationship and now the tell-tale signs of branding
were obvious even to him. He owed Marla a lot
considering what she had done for him after Suzanne
died. He didn’t want to hurt her but he had to admit to
himself that he would never love her enough to marry
her.
Sitting in a chair on his porch in the now unmistakably
fall weather, Travis appraised his grounds. He had
accomplished a lot and he was proud of what he had
attained. Still there was something missing and he
knew it was a loss in his heart over someone he could
share all of this with. Thinking about Suzanne a cloud
ran over his emotions, he closed his eyes and when he
opened them again Julia was racing the kids to see
who could reach him first. He heard a familiar voice
surround him.
“It’s all right Travis.”
He sat up with a start. It was Suzanne’s voice. He
looked around to see if she was there.
“Let go of me. You must go with the living.”
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He saw her in a vision. They were together hugging
and saying good-bye. She was as beautiful as he
remembered her. Then she broke from him and looking
back she raised her hand in a farewell and faded from
sight. Travis did not know what this meant. Normally
he had this vision only when he was asleep and now he
was having it during the day! Questioning his sanity
and wondering if the accident had done something to
him, his face wrinkled in worry and thought.
“Travis?” Julia’s voice brought him back to reality. The
children and Julia stood there with questioning looks on
their faces. “Where were you? It was like you were a
thousand miles away.”
“Of course he was honey.” Marla’s sickenly sweet voice
echoed behind Travis. “He was thinking about me.” She
rewrapped the blanket around Travis’s shoulders and
gave him a peck on his cheek. “Weren’t you honey?”
He carelessly patted her hands that were on his
shoulders and smiled and motioned for the children to
come to him. They nestled themselves on his lap and
hugged and chattered excitedly.
“Children that is enough.” “You must stay quiet and let
your daddy have some peace.” Marla clucked her
tongue in sternness.
“It’s all right Marla.” Travis seated the children evenly
on his thighs. “I enjoy having them around.”
“Well,” she eyed the situation critically, “ok, but just
for a few minutes."
While Travis and the children prattled about nothing in
particular, Marla regarded the way Julia looked at
Travis. Sidling up to her and putting her hands on her
shoulders she sweetly spoke into Julia’s ear.
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“Julia, we have had so little time with each other, why
don’t we go for a walk while Travis and the children
have some time together? It’s a lovely evening and
even though it’s a little chilly I so would like to walk
around a bit.” Julia rather hesitantly accepted even
though she would have rather have stayed with Travis.
The cool night air seemed to penetrate the warm wraps
they were wearing and it tickled down their necks
seeking any free skin it could seep into. They headed
into the corral area standing by the fencing that held in
the horses. Killer, seeing Julia, walked over to her and
nudged her elbow that was laying on top of the fence
railing. Julia caressed his neck and Killer’s eyes rolled
in satisfaction. Nickering gently, he abruptly turned and
ran off seeking the warmth of his stable.
“Just look at that sky,” Marla eyes reflected the bright
images she was now focusing on. Julia looked up and
saw a falling star. She closed her eyes and made a
wish.
“What are you wishing for honey?” Marla eyed her
speculatively. “Now let me think.” She slowly
sauntered around her as though she was assessing the
young girl.
“You are wishing for a handsome man who will give
you several children, a beautiful house and a wonderful
future. Am I right?” She nestled close to Julia and gave
her one of her dazzling smiles. Julia quietly stood there
looking at her, shivering not only because it was cold
but because Marla had almost read her mind.
“I ah, I guess that is something every girl dreams of.
Don’t you think?” Julia wrapped her shawl tighter
around her shoulders and went to sit on a log that
Travis used to cut the wood. Marla watched her as she
walked away.
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“Well, I don’t know honey. I was married for some time
to a man that was obliging and a very good provider.
He was ok but nothing to write home about if you know
what I mean.” Marla turned her head and looked
confidentially at Julia out of the corner of her eye. She
then headed towards her and sat next to her settling
her dress around her. Julia watched her with
exasperated feelings. ‘Why was this woman always
fussing with herself?’ she asked herself. Then Julia
remembered who Marla reminded her of. She
reminded her of someone else that did the same thing;
who sat on velvet settees waiting for the world to
observe them. The thought shocked her. After a
moment of reflection she asked a question that she
could have answered herself.
“Didn’t you love him?” Julia couldn’t imagine giving
herself to someone without loving them. Marla laughed
her sickenly sweet laugh.
“Love. Honey love does not have anything to do with
marriage. My momma told me never to let love get in
the way of a future. One has to be wise and provide for
herself if she is going to have anything in this world.”
Marla gave her a world wise, you are so naive look. “I
suppose you want the prince who comes riding in on a
white horse to take you for a fairy tale existence for
the rest of your life.” Marla clicked her tongue and put
her hands on Julia’s.
“Honey I am going to have to tell you some facts of
life. A man wants a woman for his bed and for his arm.
He wants something pretty, who will make him feel
manly and who knows how to excite him in the
marriage bed. That’s what a man really wants.”
“Look at me.” She waved her hands around her face. “I
have men around me all the time. They love my
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looking after them and Travis likes to have me around
because I am pretty and feminine and I know how to
make him feel like a man.”
Julia sat quietly listening to her not quite
understanding. She knew that the women who were
around Uncle Paddy were that way and men seemed to
congregate around them all the time. Believing Marla
was trying to help her, Julia let her guard down.
“What do you mean by making him feel like a man?”
Julia looked so innocent and naive, Marla had a tinge of
conscience in what she was trying to do to this young
girl. In her mind all was fair in love and war so
throwing off the guilt she continued.
“Well honey, I don’t know if anyone has told you about
the birds and the bees but a man wants a woman who
knows how to please him. By the look Julia gave her
Marla knew she was trying to understand but couldn’t.
“Honey, I am talking about bedding a man!” Her face
registered shock and she rolled her eyes. “Good lord
you are naive.”
Julia finally understanding turned as red as Marla’s
dress. She rose to go but Marla held her back.
“I’m only trying to help sugar. I’m afraid you don’t
know the men around here; they like that type of
woman.” Her eyes narrowed and her face turned hard
when she went in for the kill. “You think you are in love
with Travis.”
Julia quickly turned to her with a look of denial on her
face.
“No honey, it’s no use denying it.” Marla’s expression
became one of sympathy and earnestness. “I’ve seen
how you look at him. I don’t want to burst your bubble,
but Travis is a man of the world and he needs to have
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a woman that can handle, she put her hands on her
breasts, his more personal needs. It wouldn’t do for a
young thing like you to think he would be happy with
you. He’s been married and has known a man’s needs.
That’s why he wants me.”
She looked out into the yard as in deep thought. Then
she turned to Julia.
“Maybe we can find you a nice young man from around
here to experiment with. Who knows, maybe he will
end up marrying you.”
Exaggerating a shiver, she blew into her hands.
“Oh my, it is getting cold out here. I don’t know about
you but I am going in She stood up and started walking
toward the house. Turning she said to Julia.
“I’ll help you find someone Julia. I’m glad we had this
little talk. I feel so much closer to you. Maybe we can
be like sisters someday.”
Smiling sweetly she hopped up the stairs and flinging
open the door she sailed into the house leaving Julia
standing desolately shivering in the yard.
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151
CHAPTER 17
CHAPTER 17
CHAPTER 17
CHAPTER 17
Peeping from the kitchen, Augusta had seen Julia and
Marla go out into the yard. Figuring something was up
she slyly watched the interaction between the two
women out of the kitchen window. She could tell by
Julia’s expressions, that something was being to her
little friend that was confusing her.
When Marla smugly re-entered the house, leaving Julia
standing forlornly in the cold back yard, Augusta seeing
her face alight with the sparks of victory figured the
conversation had something to do with Travis. Wanting
to slap the smugness out of the woman she thought
differently and peered out the window to see Julia who
looked like she had just lost her best friend. Bursting
with curiosity, she wrapped a shawl around her and
picked up the egg basket. Creeping down the back
stairs she figured she could pretend she was going for
some extra eggs. That would give her the opportunity
to find out what was making Julia look so sad.
Stepping outside, and stung by the coldness the air
had taken on, she paused for a minute to acclimate
herself to the icy shock. Then she lumbered down the
wooden steps to where Julia was standing.
“Landsakes child, what are you doing standing here in
the cold?” She picked up Julia’s hands and started
rubbing them. “You ok?” Julia nodded her head and
with a voice low and contained she spoke.
“Yes Augusta. I’m fine.” She raised her head and set
her shoulders. “Actually I guess I’m more than fine.
I’ve made a decision.”
“And what would that be child?” Augusta questioned
softly as she put her arm around Julia’s shoulder.
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“I’ve decided to leave at the end of this month.”
Augusta’s face registered shock and hurt; the coldness
she felt in her heart was colder than the air she was
breathing. “I have fulfilled my debt to Travis and I have
some money saved up.” She seemed to be thinking
this out as she was saying it and Augusta wondered
what had precipitated this decision.
“What made you feel you had to do this?” Augusta
looked at the girl with her heart filled with concern.
“Aren’t you happy here Julia?” Then taking her arms off
of Julia’s shoulders she stood squarely in front of her
and put her hands on her hips. “Does this have
anything to do with your conversation with Marla the
meddler?”
Julia looked at the ground, while the wind started to
blow icy and powerful around them.
“Oh my,” Augusta looked up at the sky which was now
being covered by large and pink tinged clouds. “This
weather is coming too early this year. It has to be clear
for our Harvest Festival.” Then she looked back at
Julia. “Tell me child; why do you feel you have to leave
here?”
Julia, knowing Augusta would defend her like a mother
tiger started from the beginning and told the old
woman what had happened between the two of them.
She left nothing out and put nothing in that had not
happened.
Augusta sat quietly listening. She never realized that
things had progressed this far. She couldn’t blame
Julia, but she did blame Travis for having so little self
control.
“Hmmm. Seems to me girl that man needs some
talking to. You are an innocent thing and he should not
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be taking advantage of you. Well at least he had the
good sense to stop it before it went too far.”
“It isn’t like I didn’t want him to do it, Augusta. I did.”
“I, I think I love Travis, but Marla said he was a man of
the world and needs a woman like her. She said that I
was too young and that if anyone was going to marry
Travis she was.”
Furiousness fueled animation. “Augusta, she doesn’t
deserve Travis.” Julia’s eyes blazed a pale green and
her breath came in short gasps. “I don’t think Travis
needs a woman like her.”
“So you are just going to leave and let her have him?”
“Hmmph, I thought you said you thought you loved the
man.” Augusta watched the girl out of the corner of her
eye. Julia opened her mouth to say something and
then shut it. “That doesn’t sound like love to me. I tell
you if Samuel had had another woman wanting him, I
would have fought her like you fought old Marlowe to
the bitter end. If he picked her, at least I could say to
myself I had done my best.”
“Well, how can I compete against someone like her
Augusta?” “She’s like silk and satin and I am cloth and
denim. What can I do?” She looked into the eyes of the
woman who was as close as a mother she had ever
known. “No Augusta, I am going to leave.”
Augusta’s heart almost pained her to hear those words.
How could she make Julia realize what changes she
had brought to the family, especially in Travis. How
could she explain to the girl and get her hopes up
telling her how he looked at her when she wasn’t
aware of it? How could she make the girl who was
obviously in so much pain understand what she had
done for all of them. Trying to figure out a way to stall
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154
the girl so she could try to get the two of them
together, she very calmly and expertly replied.
“Well dear, I will be very sorry to see you go, but if this
is what you want I guess I can’t stop you.” She dabbed
at her damp eyes with her shawl. “Will you promise me
something though?” Will you stay until after the
harvest festival? I would like a little more time with you
because it will probably be a long time, she drew out
long time somewhat dramatically, before I see you
again.” Seeing Julia was looking somewhat remorseful,
and pleased with her performance, she put in the last
stab. With a perfectly innocent face filled with pity and
sorrow she went on.
“Oh and the children. Have you thought about what
this will do to them? You know how they feel about
you. You are going to give Travis a chance to get a new
governess aren’t you? These young uns have been
through a lot and it wouldn’t be right if you didn’t give
them some time to adjust to this.”
“What?” Julia’s head was swimming. She wasn’t sure
she liked what she had started. “Oh yes, I hadn’t
thought of that. Sure Augusta. I mean I’m not just
going to run off without regard for anyone.” She looked
confused and Augusta seeing the confusion decided on
her course of action. Thinking about how she was going
to bring Travis and Julia together she said to herself:
“Julie girl, you are going to be staying with us whether
you like it or not because this has become your home.”
Putting her arm around Julia again, she led the girl to
the house.
“Now you just go to bed. All this thinking probably has
you tired. Spend the time thinking over what your
course of planning is going to be. I will take care of the
little ones. They’ll have to get used to you not being
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155
around all the time won’t they?” Calling up the rear as
they walked up the stairs to the house, she clucked her
tongue. “They’re so small for all these changes.”
Augusta contrived a long sigh as she walked off. Julia
wanely smiled. Shaking her head to scatter the
confusion she felt, she went to her bedroom wondering
how the night had turned out so confused and
calamitous.
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156
CHAPTER 18
CHAPTER 18
CHAPTER 18
CHAPTER 18
The next morning Augusta woke up with a grand idea.
Wanting to put it into action, she jumped out of bed
and dressed quickly. She was bunking with Julia and as
she buttoned up her dress, she looked down on the
peaceful sleeping face she had come to love.
“Julia, I’m gonna try my hardest to make that man see
what it is he’s missing. Come hell or high water.
Yessiree.”
Lumbering down the stairs, she noticed Marla’s door
was open and her room was empty which was
uncharacteristic of the woman this early in the
morning. Wondering what was going on, Augusta
wandered into the kitchen. Her eyes widened as she
saw Marla was sitting at the table drinking a cup of
coffee. She looked up as Augusta strode through the
door.
There wasn’t a lot of love between the two women and
they treated each other with a tempered non spoken
truce. With a voice still groggy from sleep and shuffling
her heavy load into the kitchen Augusta inquired of the
young woman.
“What are you doing up at this hour of the morning
dear?”
Marla, yawning scooted a cup over to Augusta and
motioned for her to sit down.
“I have to go to Mournful today. I got a telegram from
my brother that he is arriving in town today to see
me.” Rolling her eyes and grimacing she continued.
“Probably needs money. I also need to check on my
store and get some things together for the Harvest
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Festival. Travis is feeling better now and I feel
comfortable leaving him for awhile.”
Augusta sneered inwardly at the woman knowing that
Travis had plenty of people here he’d rather take care
of him, but she kept quiet. The situation was going to
work out perfectly. She wouldn’t have to use her plan;
a grand idea came into her mind. She then offered
cheese to the mouse.
“Marla,” cautiously and as innocent as the snake in the
Garden of Eden, Augusta set the trap. “Isn’t your
brother a doctor? You know, Travis could stand to have
a doctor look at him.”
Augusta kept close watch over the woman out of the
side of her peripheral vision. Marla was just about to
object so Augusta spoke quickly. “Just for confirmation
of your excellent nursing skills of course.” She paused
as though in thought. “I think he’d like it up here for a
while. The Harvest Festival is just around the corner
and I think he’d enjoy it.”
She waited for a few minutes and then pounced. “He’s
just a little older than Julia isn’t he? I bet they’d have
fun together. She needs someone her own age to go
around with.” She poured herself a cup of coffee.
“Don’t you think so?”
Leaning on the counter in the kitchen, she breathed in
the aroma of the coffee. Feeling its warmth slide down
into her chest, she waited for her comments to sink in.
Marla was sitting there very quietly but Augusta
watched her face. Her eye movements betrayed her
quietness. She was as busy as a rat in a cornfield in
her thoughts.
A smile turned the corners of her mouth and her eyes
narrowed with the plans she was making. Augusta had
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158
set the wheels in motion. “Yes," Marla said with a
suppression of emotion, “I think he would enjoy it very
much.” Easing out of her chair, trying not to look too
eager, she left the room and called out to Candy to
help her onto her coach.
Augusta sat down on a kitchen chair and drank another
sip of her coffee. Her stomach felt somewhat queasy
and she figured the coffee was too strong this morning.
A little groan came out of her throat.
“Dear Lord, I hope I know what I am doing!” The
wheels were in motion now and she couldn’t stop it if
she tried.
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CHAPTER 19
CHAPTER 19
CHAPTER 19
CHAPTER 19
Marla stepped into her small but tastefully decorated
living quarters built in back of her store. She knew he
was there before she saw him because the smell of his
cologne and the air of dissipation curled around her like
a rattler ready to strike. It sent shivers down her spine.
Already nervous with excitement at the proposal she
was going to set before him, she became even more
tense when she knew she would have to come face to
face with the person who could make or break her.
Forcing a smile that had to look genuine, she sashayed
into the parlor making a quick assessment to see that
all was still in order.
“Well my dear brother what brings you this way?” She
threw her arms out in front of her in greeting and he
caught them and with a charming smile twirled her
around.
“Still as sweet as a peach, big sister.” Evan Coultrane
appraised Marla and saw that she was as prosperous as
ever.
“And you my doctor brother are still the handsomest
man around.” He was handsome, but he was also a
rapscallion of the worst sort. True he was a doctor, but
his talents were more conducive for the nurses than
with the patients he had taken an oath to treat.
Evan’s other weakness was a love for gambling. A
weakness their father could not control. The genetic
weakness time and time again caused the downfall of
the Coultrane family.
Facing the destruction of his reputation, Dr. Winston
Coultrane ended his life with a shot to the head,
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leaving Mrs. Coultrane penniless. Fortunately Maria
Coultrane was a very attractive woman and a new
mate was found with ease.
She was not in love with Winston Goodwin, but he was
rich and that was the only thing that mattered to her.
He dutifully financed the education of Evan and placed
him in a university where the boy studied to be a
doctor. He also financed Marla’s coming out.
Married for only five years Winston died of a heart
condition and Marla, Evan and their mother were free
to do whatever they wanted with his money. They
found out, however, that their excesses had put him in
considerable debt and again the Coultrane family was
in financial ruin.
Evan graduated with honors and was offered an
excellent position at a prominent hospital. His income
kept up the family appearances. Then the gambling
began, and again the downhill spiral caused the family
considerable worry.
Marla realized she would have to plan for her future, or
there would be no future for her. She determined in
her mind that she would never be poor again. Her
circumstances and the need to survive, hardened her.
She learned, all was fair in love and greed.
Marla and Evan were not especially close but
circumstances forced them to form a bond in childhood
that took them through a tumultuous and difficult
childhood. They learned how to use one another and if
needed rely on one another if they had to. She was
counting on this encounter to become one of her major
coups.
“Sit down Evan.” Marla motioned for him to sit next to
her. “What a pleasure it is to see you after so long. I
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swear it seems like ages. It takes you so long to think
of me.” Putting on a face of hurt feelings, Evan started
to chuckle, seeing through the southern belle act that
Marla tried valiantly to perform. Wrinkling his nose in
disgust he waved his hands around and whined in
displeasure.
“Please sister. You are getting a little too old for the
debutante act.” Marla rolled her eyes and grimaced,
becoming more like her normal self.
“Thank you for that kind comment Evan.” She raised
her chin in a defiant pose. “What are you here for?”
Laughing out loud at Marla’s drollness, Evan gave his
sister an arrogant once over with his eyes.
“Lord have mercy, Marla, you know I believe you
should have been an actress. He did a quick soft shoe
and ended in a curtsey reaching one hand out to her.
“You certainly know how to set a scene don’t you?”
Seeing some mints in a delicate pink dish he reached
over picked one up and popped it in his mouth. Marla
dropped all the pretension and relaxed...somewhat.
“Well dear brother,” she said dryly. “I do not see you
unless you want something, so what is it you want?”
The way she was acting and the look in her eye told
him something was up. It was like an intoxication for
him to see if he could outwit her. Observing the
nervous control over her body, he figured she was set
to get something out of him. The only way to keep her
from maneuvering him, he decided was to get straight
to the point.
“I need money, Marla. I got into an unfortunate mess
and I find myself owing some money and I need you to
give it to me.”
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162
He was desperate. She could detect it by the excellent
masking of his expression and the nonchalant way he
had asked her, as though he expected her to give it to
him. She was familiar with his defenses and it amused
her to see him so needy. She took a deep swallow. It
probably was a big amount. Just play it to the end
Marla.
“How much do you need?” She stood up and went to
her simple but expensive cherry wood desk and picked
up her check journal. Evan watched her walk up to the
desk. Taking a deep swallow, he looked, not at her, but
the journal she was picking up. Licking his lips he
replied. “One thousand dollars.” Marla’s eyes flickered
for a moment. It was a lot of money but she could
afford that and was willing to pay more for what she
wanted.
A thought occurred to her that Evan was not the only
one who was desperate. Picking up her pen, and in a
flourishing script she began to write out a check to
him. Handing it to him she sat quietly down, put her
hands demurely in her lap, and watched him closely.
Examining the check, his eyebrows rose. Looking into
her clear, calm intriguing eyes he had guessed right.
She wanted something. She wanted it bad enough to
pay an exorbitant amount for it. His curiosity was now
piqued to the utmost.
“What does this mean?” Tones of doubt and wariness
creatively edged the cadences of his voice. “You have
given me double what I asked for.” Playing it cool, he
let suspicion counter the doubt. He knew his sister was
playing a cat and mouse game with him. “What is
going on Marla? What do you want?”
She leaned forward and conspiratorially lowered her
voice. “I have a request of you Evan.” He leaned
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forward. They stared at each other the way they used
to when they were children and would conceive some
wicked plot to play out in vindictiveness against an
imagined hurt.
“Well, tell me sweet sister.” His voice became bathed
in wickedness. She saw his eyes twinkle in expectation
of mischief. “You have such good requests.” Marla let
her guard down and nestled next to him.
“Evan, I have fallen in love with a man here. He’s a
rancher and well,” she looked demurely down at her
hands, “we have had a relationship for a year.” Evan
lips curled in a wickedly knowing smile. He put his arm
around her shoulder. Playing the concerned brother
role he put a protective tone to his words.
“He has treated you well, hasn’t he Marla?”
“Oh yes, Evan.” She widened her coquettish eyes. “He
has always been a gentleman. It has been just perfect
until he hired a young pretty thing to be his
housekeeper and governess. She has begun to be a
spur in my side.”
Her eyes became slits and her intonations began to
sound like the warning growl of a cat who was ready to
do battle, “He’s in love with her. He does not realize it
yet and I am not going to let him know it. She is in
love with him, but I have tried to make her see that he
is much too mature for her.”
“So you want me to come and act as a go between so
to speak?” Marla nodded her head. “Hmmm, I see.”
Taking his arms from around her shoulder, he stood up
and walked around the parlor as if he was thinking
about this situation. Marla eyed him studiously
wondering what was going on in that handsome head
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of his. Turning around suddenly, he put his hands on
the couch and smiled at his sister.
“Is this man rich? What does this snit look like?”
Marla’s eyes glinted in victory. The fish took the bait.
“He is well to do and she is as sweet as a peach.” Marla
looked over at her brother. “A very untasted ripe peach
Evan.” Evan heard the warning in his sister’s voice.
“Well then, I guess I am going to have to show this
peach exactly how fun it is to be tasted then aren’t I?
So let’s get this straight. I get her away from your
lover, and I get the reward right?” Marla nodded her
head.
Pausing in his imagining, he started picking at a thread
that was sticking out of the couch. “There is one more
thing Marla.” He saw her body go tense in anticipation
of his request. “If this works out, I want a thousand
more. I am not a greedy man dear, you know that, but
this is going to make me have to stay away from work
longer than I planned to. Not that they’ll miss me
much, but time is money as the saying goes.”
At the sound of a thousand more dollars, Marla looked
at him as if he was crazy, but by the determined look
in his face, she closed mouthed assented by nodding.
Evan sidled over to a lovely gold trimmed tray with
wine bottles and glasses set on it. Opening up a bottle,
which of course was her very best, he poured wine into
two glasses and handed one to Marla. They had both
won today and exhilaration was upon them. Clinking
their glasses together, they spent the rest of the
afternoon making plans; each one gloating in their
expectations.
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CCCCHAPTER 20
HAPTER 20
HAPTER 20
HAPTER 20
Travis was breathing easier now that Marla was away
for a while. He was becoming tired of the way the
woman fretted and fussed over him. He needed some
time to himself.
The children were sleeping soundly after Candy and
Travis had worn them out with horseriding lessons.
Smiling to himself, he remembered the smile on
David’s face when Candy got the horse to start a slow
canter. Mavis had howled out in fear and begged to be
taken off when the horse started it’s bumpity walk.
After a few minutes, when she realized she was not
going to die, she began to enjoy it and wanted more
when the lesson was over.
Walking stiffly among the pines Travis breathed in their
pungent fresh smell. Feeling achy and stiff, he wanted
to start stretching himself a little more to get back his
stamina. His wounds were healing and he felt strength
coming back more each day.
Julia was in the corral combing Sissy’s coat when she
saw Travis come around the bend. He could see the
concern in her face wondering if he should be out and
about but she was smart enough not to make an issue
of it knowing he wouldn’t listen to her anyway. Waving
to him she smiled and he figured he would wander over
and have a chat with her.
“Well," she said as she combed out Sissy’s matted
mane, “You’re looking better.” The injuries to his
forehead were healing nicely and even though they
would leave scars, they did not detract from Travis’s
gook looks.
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“Easy to say now that I am in a deformed state.” Travis
chuckled easily, “Scarred but alive.”
Julia felt a wave of pity wash over her heart and she
wanted nothing more than to run over and hug him
with the thanks she felt that he was just alive. Scarred
or not, she didn’t care. He would always be the man
she saw the night of the Indian festival. A feeling of
melancholy touched her heart when she thought of
their tender moment that night. Hiding her feelings,
she continued on with her business and matter of factly
said as she turned her fresh young face to him in mock
skepticism.
“Are you trying to get sympathy from me Travis
Parnell.” He laughed wholeheartedly.
“Naw, wouldn’t do any good anyway would it?” He held
out his hand to her. “Why don’t you come and take a
walk with me.” He looked expectantly at her and
noticed the look of uncertainty that fleeted across her
face.
“It’s ok Julia.” “Please just trust me.” “I think we need
to talk.” She paused for a moment and then patting
Sissy on the rump she put the comb away and started
to walk out of the corral. Tiny shivers crept up and
down her spine as she walked over to him.
Travis watched her as she approached. Having her near
him brought back the feelings that made him
comfortable; but also brought joy to his heart. She was
too nervous to feel anything. He perceived her
discomfort and tried to find a way to put her at ease.
“I remember when you first came here Julia. Boy we
did have some whopper fights didn’t we?” Julia smiled.
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167
“Yes.” She looked over at him with a twinkle in her
eye. “Augusta told me she didn’t think we’d last a
week.” Travis laughed.
“I didn’t think we’d last on the ride home. Augusta
pleaded with me to take you on that day. I was bent on
sending you back!” Julia looked down at the ground.
“I’m glad you didn’t Travis.” She kicked the dirt around
her feet. “This has been the best time in my life.”
Travis’s heart seemed to stop for a moment. He
directed them to some giant rocks that were down the
path. He lowered himself down on one.
“Whew, I’m getting a little tired.” He motioned Julia to
sit on the other one. Looking at her with compassion
filling his eyes Travis decided it was time to explain
himself. “I owe you an explanation for what happened
during our trip to the Indian village Julia. I just never
knew quite what to say.” He looked down at his boots
and then out into the view in front of him.
“My first wife Suzanne helped me build this place up.
She was a wonderful wife and I loved her with all my
heart. I brought her out here wanting to create a life
for me and her and I ended up killing her.
Julia looked up at him in horror. “You what?”
Travis realized what he had said. “No. I don’t mean I
killed her.” I never really thought about what life here
would do to her. How hard it would be. I took a city
woman with no understanding into a harsh wilderness
and expected her to know what to do.”
“The wilderness is harsh Julia. You haven’t even been
through a winter yet. You do not understand. It does
harsh things to a woman. Suzanne was pretty and
delicate when she came here. Within a year she was
starting to age with all the hard work and then with the
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children being born, she went downhill fast. After she
died, I closed a piece of my heart and vowed never to
feel that way again about any woman.”
A heaviness crept into Julia’s heart hearing the
weariness and sadness in Travis’s words. He took his
hand and rubbed it through his hair.
“It was my ambition and selfishness that brought her
here and I will live with that all the days of my life.” He
paused as though he was seeing a picture in his mind.
Then he continued, “What happened between us during
the trip to the Indian village was inexcusable. I acted
like a cad, without restraint or decorum and I promise
you it will not happen again.”
Julia, sitting on the rock, was absorbing all his words
with her heart growing heavier with each sentence he
spoke. Her emotions began to get the better of her as
she started to get defensive. She blurted out her
feelings before she thought.
“So you don’t feel anything for me?” She was thinking
about what Marla said
“They love my looking after them and Travis likes to
have me around because I am pretty and feminine and
I know how to make him feel like a man.” The woman’s
words pierced her now more intensely than when she’d
first heard them.
“Of course I feel something for you Julia.” Travis took
her hands in his. “I am much older than you and I have
been through a lot more living. You are young and
vibrant and beautiful. You should have a young
husband, a beautiful house and live in a place that can
give you a future not death. That’s why I am saying if
you want to leave here and try to find a position in a
better place, I will do all I can to help you.” Julia
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looked at him with alarm in her face. Tears started to
flow and she was helpless to stop them.
“You know something Travis? All my life no one has
wanted me. My mother, Paddy did, of course, but he
still kept on my mother to take on her responsibilities
as though I was something to throw away; tossed from
here to there.” She wiped her nose with her shirt
sleeve. “I came here and everyone has treated me like
one of the family.” She turned to glare at him.
“Everyone except you. You reel me in and out like a
fish on a line. One minute you love me the next you
don’t. You know exactly how you feel about me Travis.”
She stood face to face with him; her arms on her hips.
“You feel everything I do. You’re too stubborn to admit
you need me. I am not Suzanne. I am Julia Carwood
and I have already proved that many times.”
She rested for a moment exhausted by her speech then
slowly and wearily she continued. “I am thinking about
leaving. I spoke with Augusta about it two days ago. I
am leaving after the Harvest Festival.” Travis stiffened
at the words. “That will give you enough time to find
someone else to take my place. I have some money
saved up and I will be fine.”
Possessed by a lethargy and depression she had never
experienced, she edged off the rock and started back
to the house. Travis sat there feeling like he’d fought
old Marlowe again. Only this time, it was his heart that
felt wounded. She had spoken the truth just as he had
expected her to. He couldn’t deny the facts. He was in
love with her and that scared the living daylights out of
him. He only hoped that she knew that it was because
of that love that he was offering her the freedom that
was costing him so much. He could not do to her what
he had done to Suzanne.
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Walking as though the weight of the world was upon
him, Travis finally reached the front area of his house.
Marla’s wagon was standing in the middle of the road
and Travis felt even more depressed than he was a
minute ago. His ears caught the sound of a man’s
voice; unfamiliar but with the same southern twang
that was Marla’s signature.
Walking closer to the group, Travis saw Marla giving
orders to Candy. She was telling him where the
supplies she had brought needed to go. The person
standing next to her was almost a carbon copy of her
except that he was male and decidedly foppish for the
territory he was in.
“Ah Travis, there you are.” Marla whooshed up to him
and grabbed his arm. Pulling him forward, she brought
him close to the stranger. “Travis, I’d like you to meet
my brother Evan Coultrane. Evan, Travis Parnell.”
Travis reached out to shake the young man’s hand and
Evan shook heartily and smiled.
“It’s very nice to meet you Mr. Parnell. My sister has
spoken very well of you.” Marla looked up at her
brother and smiled. Travis looked warily at the young
man wondering why Marla had brought him here. Hell,
he thought the place is busting out already.
“Call me Travis.” “You planning to stay here?” Marla
laughed nervously and looked from Evan to Travis.
“He is a doctor Travis; I thought it would be admirable
if he took a look at you. I know you are fine dear, but a
looksy would not hurt.” She noticed the grimace of
rebellion on Travis’s face and knew he was going to be
angry with her. She smiled and locked her arms in his
and smiled up at him, “Just one time for me? Please
Travis?” Looking down at her he finally smiled and
nodded. He extended his arm toward the house.
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“All right. I am feeling somewhat peaked right now.”
Marla shot him a look of concern. “Shall we go and get
this over with?” With that, the entourage stepped into
the house.
Hearing a commotion of voices, Julia came out of the
kitchen with Augusta. She no longer looked like she
had been crying, but the emotions of the day had
flushed her complexion. She looked exceptionally
beautiful with her copper hair framing her face looking
as though she had just had hands rummaged through
it. Walking into the group she looked inquisitively at
the stranger.
“Julia and Augusta dears," Marla’s voice was sweet and
syrupy as though they were the best of friends, “I’d
like you to meet my brother. Evan this Augusta Reiner
our town’s midwife and nurse.” Evan greeted Augusta
who watched him with suspicion and a disapproving
sneer as he bowed a greeting to her. “And this, Marla
turned to Julia, putting her hand on her arm, “is Julia
Carwood; Julia, my brother Evan Coultrane.” Evan
gallantly walked up to Julia and took her hand. He
lifted it to his mouth and kissed it.
“Enchanted to meet you.” He said, as he stared into
her eyes.
Julia snatched his hand from hers ever so slightly and a
red blush spread from her exposed neck to her
forehead. Smiling, timidly, she stood there not knowing
what to say.
Evan evaluated the girl he was going to seduce. Pretty
was not the word he would use to describe her. She
was a wonder. Beautiful green eyes, the copper hair
and the superb body that this woman girl possessed
would be an enticement to any man. Evan old boy, he
thought; this is going to be better than you dreamed.
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Marla and Travis watched the encounter. Marla
watched it with shining eyed amusement. Travis
watched it like a bulldog staring out his prey. Augusta
watched Travis with amusement. She was going to
enjoy this. She was a little disconcerted at the way
Evan looked at Julia, kind of like a drunkard looking at
his last bottle of wine. She could almost see him licking
his lips.
Glancing over at Travis, Augusta saw he was warily
watching Evan. She recalled the way her dog Bones
looked at any animal that got close to his feed bowl.
Travis was looking exactly the same way. Smiling in
satisfaction, she wiped her hands on her apron and
headed for the kitchen. Travis broke everyone else’s
concentration. “How about that examination. Shall we
get to it?” The words came out in a tone edged with
the sharpness of a fine blade that matched his
expression.
“What? Oh yes.” Evan bowed to Julia and followed
Travis into his bedroom.
Marla bounced to her bedroom, Augusta went to the
kitchen and Julia followed her.
“Landsakes child.” Augusta rumbled with laughter. “Did
you ever see such a dandy?” Julia smiled. She had
been around dandies like that all her life. They weren’t
so bad. Most of them were outcast aristocratic young
men who could not, because of flaws in their
personality, live within the confines of their socially
demanding families. Cultured and intelligent they found
solace with her Uncle Paddy who would take them in,
protect them and act as a surrogate father figure. Julia
had found that they were usually of a big heart to
those they loved.
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“Oh I suppose Augusta. He doesn’t seem like a bad
sort.” She started putting away supplies. Earlier, she
had run into Augusta’s arms after her conversation
with Travis. Augusta had held her and consoled the
young girl. Offering to take her to her house after the
Harvest Festival, Julia had accepted and would think
about her future then.
Augusta listening to Julia’s version of the encounter,
wisely agreed with all that Travis said. He was too old
for Julia and with his problems maybe someone more
outgoing and loving would be better for her. In the end
Julia thought about it and even though her heart ached
for Travis she was considering Augusta’s words. Evan
Coultrane had come at a most opportune time.
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174
CHAPTER 21
CHAPTER 21
CHAPTER 21
CHAPTER 21
The house was full of people for dinner that night. Evan
decided to stay on with Marla’s insistence promising
that they all would be out of there after the Harvest
Festival that was now only two weeks away. Travis
agreed to that hoping with Evan here, Marla would be
less fussy torn between the two men.
After a thorough exam, Evan had found Travis to be in
excellent condition. He complimented Augusta on her
doctoring. The woman had saved his life. There would
be some scarring especially on his back but it could
have been much worse. He was still weak from the loss
of blood and probably anemic so Evan told Augusta to
feed Travis plenty of meat and fresh vegetables.
They were all sitting together after a wonderful dinner
of fresh buffalo meat along with corn and carrots and
oranges Marla had brought from her store. Evan was
keeping them amused with stories about his more
picturesque patients. After a pause from one of the
stories, Augusta had excused herself to begin the clean
up. Julia jumped up to help her.
“Julia, Marla called after her, I’ll help Augusta. Why
don’t you show Evan around? I’m sure he’d like to take
a walk around this beautiful property.” Julia looking
somewhat uncertain glanced at Evan who told her it
would be delightful and gave her a dazzling smile.
“I would appreciate a walk around if it wouldn’t bother
you.” Evan looked at her eagerly nodding his head to
persuade her.
Julia gave him a dimpled smile and motioned for him to
follow her. Evan excused himself and followed the
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young girl out the door. Augusta noticed that a scowl
now colored Travis’s expression.
They traveled a well-worn pathway toward the corral.
“This is the corral.” Julia waved her arms in front of her
like a vendor displaying her wares. Sissy loped over to
her and nudged her arm to get some affection.
“Is this your horse?” Evan asked moving closer to her.
“It’s one I use.” Julia touched her cheek to the horse’s
muzzle. Sissy rolled her eyes in appreciation of the
caress. “I am just a governess here. Nothing really
belongs to me.”
“Well you seem to fit in perfectly.” Evan studied the
woman. “Where did you come from Julia?” He patted
the horse who looked at him with her kind large brown
eyes.
“I am from San Francisco. My uncle died and I came
here to start a new life.” He looked at her and
marveled at her expressive face. There was a flickering
of sadness in her expression and he wondered what the
reason for that was.
“Do you like your new life?”
“I thought I did.” Julia looked up at the stars that were
now beginning to show in the dusky sky. “I don’t know
any more. I am thinking about moving on.” She started
to walk around the house.
Tinged with purple from the setting sun, the lake and
mountains created a portrait of magnificent splendor
that even the most creative artist in the world would
have had difficulty putting on canvass. Evan sucked in
his breath. He hadn’t really looked at the scenery when
he was driving up here with his sister. Spending most
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176
of the drive creating his battle plan he had looked at
the land with unseeing eyes.
“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” He looked over at her and her
face was glowing with the aura of the setting sun’s
light. Her long lashes caught by the sun created
shadows of themselves under her eyes. The breeze was
blowing her copper hair around her face and she had to
keep grabbing her hair to keep it out of her eyes.
“I have never been in such a place that I loved more
than this.” She took in a deep breath and started to
walk in another direction.
“Then why are you leaving?” Julia smiled a world weary
smile. “I guess it’s just time to try something else.”
Looking at Evan she observed an extremely handsome
man. His dark hair was long like Travis’s but it was a
styled long, created in its way by a professional who
had sculpted it to look like it had grown that way. His
eyes were a gray blue. They appeared intense and
hard. Having been around men like this with her uncle,
Julia thought she even saw a hint of dissipation in his
manner. A sharply sculpted face offset by an easily
smiling mouth revealed brilliantly white teeth. His nose
was long and aristocratic. Dressed with simplicity, he
showed great taste in the burgundy suede jacket which
topped tan excellently creased breeches stuffed into
shiny leather boots.
“So you are a doctor.” Julia smiled at him with dimpled
cheeks. “That is a valiant profession Evan.” “You must
be very proud.”
Evan looked down at the ground and smiled.
“Yes I suppose so.” “I guess I have never looked at it
quite like that.” He rubbed the side of his cheek. “I
never looked at it as a valiant profession.” “I just
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177
thought of the money I could get.” He noticed an
expression of shock in her face. “Don’t paint me a saint
Julia, because I’m not.”
Looking up at Evan, her face reflected an idealistic
acceptance of him. He saw mirrored in her beautiful
eyes no guile, no selfishness. She wanted nothing in
return for her comments. Everything he saw in the
woman, warranted respect.
Evan took her hands in his and looked at her tenderly.
Julia felt fearful and uncomfortable not knowing what
to expect.
“Julia, I know we have just met, but I feel very close to
you. I can see you have been gently raised and you are
so alone in this world. While I am here, would it be
possible for us to be friends? I’d like to make the last
few days here happy for you. Perhaps you’d like to go
riding with me and show me the country? You seem
like you need a friend.” He raised his eyebrows with a
questioning look and smiled a friendly smile. Julia liked
his smile and his comfort and she nodded her head in
agreement.
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178
CHAPTER 22
CHAPTER 22
CHAPTER 22
CHAPTER 22
It was getting dark and the fire in the fireplace was
beginning to cast shadows on the wood floor. David
and Mavis made a game trying to hop on all the
moving shadows they could find.
Augusta, who was knitting, sat with Travis who kept
glancing out the window as though looking for
something or someone.
She set down her knitting and pinched the skin
between her eyebrows.
“My it’s getting dark isn’t it? I better light up some
more lamps.” As she was moving around the room, she
kept up a steady stream of conversation going.
“I think that brother of Marla is real nice. Don’t you
think so Travis?” Travis did not look at her but curled
his lip up at the corner in a sneer and rolled his eyes.
Tautly he answered her.
“You just like him because he complimented your
nursing.” Augusta smiled knowingly. She noticed that
Travis moved a little closer to the window and moved
the curtain to see better.
“Well, she needs someone her age to pal around with.”
Augusta came back and sat down and picked up her
knitting. “You know as well as I that girl needs to be
married with a family of her own.” Glancing over at him
she sneakily changed the subject. “Did she tell you
she’s thinking of leaving?”
“Yeah, she mentioned it to me.” He pulled back the
pale apricot lace curtains that covered the large scenic
windows and furtively looked out again. “She’s just a
baby. She doesn’t need to be married yet.” Augusta
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179
looked at him with an old friend’s attitude of
frustration.
“A baby!” She laughed. “Travis are you dead! You
obviously haven’t taken a good look at her recently.
She has turned into a real beauty. I noticed Evan was
smitten with her.” Acting nonchalant, she noticed
Travis’s eyes roving to the window too many times to
be anything but concerned about what was going on
outside.
“Where are they!” He jumped up and paced around. “I
am responsible for her. If anything happens...”
Suddenly footsteps resounded on the porch and Travis
quickly sat down and picked up a newspaper and
started to read it.
Julia and Evan walked through the door laughing and
undeniably enjoying each other. They were singing a
song that was popular in San Francisco before Julia
left. Travis sat behind his paper, with his legs hopping,
listening to every word.
“Landsakes you two.” Augusta jumped out of her chair
and helped them take off their coats. “You must be
freezing. Let’s go into the kitchen and I will make you
some hot cocoa.”
Evan took Julia’s hands and began to rub them back to
warmth. Travis, who had lowered the paper for a
second, watched with envy clouding his normally clear
brown eyes. He observed how Evan watched the girl’s
every move. He saw the tender way he touched her.
He didn’t blame Evan. Who could not love Julia?
Mentally he created a picture in his mind. Evan and
Julia lost in passion. Evan caressing her beautiful skin
and Julia giving to him the way she had given herself
to Travis on the way to the Indian village. His emotions
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180
were reeling. Who wouldn’t love Julia? He desperately
wanted her yet he was so afraid. The three of them
wandered into the kitchen leaving Travis sitting in his
armchair silent, pouting and pondering.
Later when he went to his bedroom, Marla was waiting
for him. He was sullen and indifferent. Marla knew he
was going to have a problem with Julia’s and Evan’s
relationship but he’d get over it. She would make sure
of that. Rubbing his shoulders and kissing his neck she
felt him relax and then she rested herself in front of
him and felt his arms encircle her. His kisses were
hungry and impatient and he seemed urgently
detached. She could have resisted him because she
knew what caused his fevered state, but she fed him
what he wanted and gave back as fiercely as he
wanted. It’s all in the plan Marla, she thought as he
began his lovemaking in earnest. All in the plan.
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181
CHAPTER 23
CHAPTER 23
CHAPTER 23
CHAPTER 23
It was 11 days since Evan Coultrane had come to visit
and Travis was counting the days until the Harvest
Festival. True, he had practically handed Julia into his
hands but Travis was not been prepared for the way
she had practically run into the stranger’s arms and
accepted the situation.
Evan fawned and drooled over the girl until Travis
became sick to his stomach. He could have kicked
himself for saying what he did to Julia, yet he felt this
was the best way. He just wished she would have
picked a better man to cavort with. Jealousy ate at him
and devoured his peace. He could not concentrate on
anything. The more Julia became enamored of Evan,
the more Travis wanted her.
It was Thursday, two days before the Harvest Festival.
The women were baking and Travis had given his men
the rest of the week off. The ranch was empty now and
only Candy remained since he was practically a
member of the family. Travis usually gave the men
time off before the festival because everyone worked
so hard to get everything done before winter started
and a tired worker was no worker at all.
Looking up at the sky, and feeling the briskness of the
air, he knew winter was not far off. An emptiness fed
his soul when he realized that come winter, Julia would
no longer be there. Maybe she would be going with
Evan. That was not a prospect he had wanted to
believe, but it was evident that the man was courting
her.
He had to admit that Evan wasn’t as foppish as he
thought. The man was a considerable rider, and when
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182
it came to the rounding up of the horses or the
stacking of wood he was right in with the rest of the
men. Being a doctor, he had been very helpful around
the ranch with the injuries that occurred and he wasn’t
snobbish about helping the animals either. He could
carry his weight.
There was something about the man he didn’t like and
he didn’t know if it was because of his feelings for Julia
or an instinct he had come to rely on. Seeing Evan
sitting on his front porch, he was going to go over and
have a talk with him but he saw Marla head over there
and decided to wait until later.
Evan was allowing himself a time of restful respite.
Sitting on the porch gazing out at the tremendous
scenery, Evan was having a debate with himself.
Conscience was not something that bothered him in
any measure but it was bothering him daily lately.
Coming here had been a favor for his sister. He was
going to seduce a woman, maybe take her along if she
proved eager enough and then drop her along the way.
He had no plans to stay or to get involved but then he
met Julia.
In a world he had come to think of in cynical
terminology, he had found a sweet and fresh innocence
in the girl. Julia gave and received love without
wanting anything in return and that was a novelty to
him. She was unspoiled and courageous. She had told
him about her life and he marveled that one so young
and inexperienced would have the courage to go on.
He was beginning to care about the girl more than he
wanted to.
Concerned that his feelings were going to get in the
way of his need for money, he knew it was not going to
be as easy as he thought. He hadn’t figured on her
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183
being so beautiful, inside and out. He played with
desire and guilt and the two emotions were ripping him
apart.
Every day he would steel himself to be hard and play
this exactly like he and Marla had decided. Then seeing
her with the children, talking to her animals or doing
something sweet for someone, his guard would drop
like a wilted leaf. He knew he had to make a decision
and it would have to be soon. Marla saw him sitting
alone and wandered over to her brother.
“Penny for your thoughts.” She sat down next to him
and breathed in the pine laden air. Evan smiled and
winked at his big sister.
“I was just thinking how beautiful it is up here. You
know I think I could stay up here and be pretty happy.”
Marla laughed her sweet tinkling laugh.
“Sure you could Evan.” She sarcastically answered him.
“You’d get bored in two seconds flat without a game or
a woman to gamble with.”
Marla sensed a seriousness to his expression as he
turned to her and she felt a finger of fear wrap around
her body. “Evan, you aren’t getting sweet on this girl
are you?” Her voice became a low growl, threatening in
its' controlled pitch.
Evan looked apologetically at her and Marla lost all
patience. “Are you crazy?” She hissed. “You made a
deal with me and you are going to keep it.” Whispering
her warnings she murmured in his ear. “Three
thousand dollars Evan. Get her to go with you, then
leave her or whatever you want to do, but I want her
gone.” She stood up and her dress rustled as she
turned swiftly and left Evan to think about what she
said.
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184
He thought about his options. He had promised Marla
that he would get her out of there. He needed the
thousand dollars and two more thousand would help
him get back on his feet. There were men looking for
him he owed money to. He had not told Marla that part
of the story. Being where he was, was actually the
safest place he could be right not. But what about
Julia?
Most women who took on these kinds of jobs were
lonely, frustrated females desperate for a man to
marry them providing security and respectability. Julia
was not of this mold. He didn’t know what to do.
Intently mulling over his dilemma, he didn’t hear the
cowboy boots touch the porch and shuffle up the stairs.
“Howdy Evan.” Travis seated himself next to the
doctor.
“Travis. Good to see you.” The two men sat upon the
porch and looked out onto the landscape. “It sure is
pretty here.” Travis took off his hat and rubbed the
back of his neck.
“Yes it is.” He crossed one booted foot onto his knee
and settled in his chair. “I came here to talk to you
about something.” Evan turned to him with question
marks in his eyes.
“You came to talk to me about Julia didn’t you?”
Travis’s eyebrows raised for a quick second surprised
at Evan’s intuitiveness.
“I, uh yes. I feel responsible for the girl and I’d like to
know what you’re intentions are.” Evan could see the
narrowing of the eyes and masking of pain that filled
Travis’s eyes far back into their recesses.
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185
“Before I answer that,” Evan brushed a fly away. “I
need to know how you feel about her. You’re in love
with her aren’t you?”
Travis looked at him as if he was going to deny the
question. Evan waved his hands to stop him. “I’ve seen
you with my sister and I know you care for her but you
aren’t in love with her. I don’t blame you for all of this
Travis. I know my sister. When she wants something
she doesn’t give up and she wants you.”
Before he could answer, Julia rounded the corner on
Sissy. Her beautiful copper hair was flying in all
directions as she reined in the spirited appaloosa. Her
face was aglow with exercise and there was a grace in
her movements. Both men sat mesmerized by her
beauty. Without taking their eyes off of her. Evan
resignedly said,
“Well, I guess you don’t need to answer that. It’s
evident.” “Who couldn’t be in love with her.” Travis
looked over at Evan and smiled. “You haven’t answered
my question yet.”
“She’s special Travis. I want what’s best for her. I
haven’t decided yet what that is.”
“Tell me about it.” Travis put on his hat, stood up and
started down the stairs. He looked back up at Evan.
“Do you plan to ask her to marry you?” Without even
thinking, Evan nodded his head.
“Probably during the Harvest Festival.” Travis nodded
and turned to go. “Mind if I ask you something?” Travis
turned and looked at Evan. “What is keeping you from
asking her? I know you care.” Travis looked up at the
sky and then at Evan.
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186
“Sometimes caring just isn’t enough.” With that Travis
walked down the stairs leaving Evan wondering what
that meant.
The sun shone bright and warm. It was like that in
Montana this time of the year. Warm during the days
but it was starting to get very cold during the night.
Travis took a walk to the back of his house. Augusta
was outside throwing away the remainder of the
unneeded fruits and vegetables she and Marla had
been cooking.
“How’s it going Travis?” Augusta noticed the hard face
he was carrying.
“Uh, ok.” “I was just out for a walk.” Augusta set her
bowl down.
“Mind if I walk with you?” She stepped along side
Travis meeting his stride. “Do you want to talk?”
“Augusta, there’s nothing to talk about.” They walked
down the path to the swimming path.
“I don’t think that’s quite true Travis. If you could see
your face right now, you’d know. Do you think I’m blind
and dumb? I know how you feel about the girl and I
know how she feels about you! Let’s stop catterwallin
and get on with things Travis.” She turned him towards
her. Gently she spoke to him. “I know you loved
Suzanne. I did too. But honey, she’s dead. The last
thing she’d want is for you to miss out on life and be
stuck on to a dead memory for the rest of your life.”
“You’re kids need a momma and you need a wife.”
“There’s Marla,” he retorted.
“Ah bash.” Augusta sneered. “You aren’t in love with
her.” Travis smiled.
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“I can’t keep anything from you can I? Augusta when I
was sitting on the porch one day I saw Suzanne. I
know you think I am crazy but she was there. She was
beautiful like when I first met her. I had chills down my
spine. She told me to let go. She said that I had to go
on living. Then we hugged each other and she waved
good-bye and that was it. I figured I had a concussion
or something from Marlowe’s attack.” Augusta’s heart
went out to this lonely man.
“Honey, sometimes visions come to us to help us see
something. You should know that from Chief Wise
Eagle. You have to find out what it means.” She put
her arm through his and they wandered a little bit
farther. “I suggest you figure it out soon or we’re going
to have a wedding here with the wrong people for the
wrong reasons. Julia loves you but she has been hurt
and now here comes this man who treats her like a
queen. Any normal woman is going to get sucked into
that especially when she’s been hurt as much as Julia
has.” Travis listened to Augusta and knew he had to
make a decision.
“Suzanne, he thought, please come back. Please help
me understand.”
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188
CHAPTER 24
CHAPTER 24
CHAPTER 24
CHAPTER 24
Julia woke with joy in her heart. It seemed like it had
been winter until Evan had arrived. She had not
laughed or felt her age in such a long time that she
wondered if Travis had not been right about her
needing someone younger and more cultured. Still Julia
missed her talks with him; the poker games, their
times with the children. She even missed their
arguments, his smell, his eyes and his manner and
missed the way he made her tingle and the way she
felt when he held her. She told herself that it was for
the best. Obviously he did not care for her and she
needed to get on with her life.
Her times with him now were short and he seemed to
ignore her and in her estimation, was ready to see her
go. Travis didn’t greet her with the smiles and warm
gazes she had become used to when she entered a
room and she missed the intimacy of his gazes. Julia
did not understand his reasoning but she accepted it
like she had accepted all the rebuffs she had received
in her life. Hurt had made her cast a wall around
herself and she would not let anyone in through the
door whom she had a doubt about.
Freely accepting Evan, their friendship had formed into
a close bond. She did not feel the passion and
happiness with Evan that she had experienced with
Travis but Evan was fun and he treated her like a
treasure and for Julia that was something very special.
It brought back to her the love her Uncle Paddy had,
had for her. Unwilling to let it go, she gave herself to it
completely.
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Julia quickly dressed and bounded down the stairs to
the kitchen. Evan was standing there and his face lit up
as she walked in.
“I was just about ready to wake you up, sleepyhead.”
He picked up a large basket brimming with goodies.
“Look, I have packed us a picnic basket. We are going
to enjoy this great day!” Grateful of his consideration of
her Julia hated to bust his bubble.
“Evan you’re so considerate but I have to take care of
the children and I also have chores to do. Julia looked
at him apologetically.
Evan looked pleadingly at Augusta. She looked at Evan
and then at Julia. Relenting she shooed them out of the
kitchen.
“I suppose it’s ok. Travis has given everyone else some
time off, I guess it won’t hurt for today. Julie, I’ll take
care of the children. Go and have some fun.”
“Thank you Augusta,” Julia ran to her and hugged her.
“We’ll be at the swimming hole if you need us.”
The two ran out and were on their way when Travis
strode into the kitchen. He looked like he hadn’t had a
minute of sleep. He tossed and turned all night coming
to a decision. He was going to tell Julia he loved her
and wanted her. The decision scared him. Afraid to try
love again, he felt more frustration at the misery he
was causing himself not saying anything.
Marla was getting testy at his mood swings and she
was making some demands that he was going to have
to do something about. He cared for Marla, but having
her around definitely put the kabash on anything
permanent. She was driving him crazy.
Lately she had been acting somewhat strange. She was
on pins and needles and the sweet good-natured
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woman he had come to know was now becoming a
sharp tongued harpy. Having Julia here had shown
Travis what Marla was really made of.
He thought about their conversation last night. She had
mentioned to him that she thought Evan and Julia
made a nice couple together. He said something
unremarkable of which he couldn’t even remember,
and she started to rant and rave.
“I just don’t understand why you are so dead set
against relationships.” She cried. “And I would like to
know where this one is going. I am tired of giving all
my time and effort to a man who either doesn’t really
care or can’t care. You haven’t even come close to me
in days.” Travis had responded to her telling her that
she knew what they had agreed on with this
relationship and why was she trying to change it now?
He knew where her desperation sprung from but he
could not help her. Then she had sunk in the dagger.
She approached him with a voice filled with anger and
hurt.
“I suppose if I was Julia, you’d change your mind.” She
had looked at him, with pain filled eyes, and he did not
say anything in response. His silence proved to her the
truth she spoke. They went to bed without speaking.
Travis spent the night thinking about the conversation
and knew he would have to tell Marla it was over.
Dropping himself in a kitchen chair, he yawned and
asked Augusta for a cup of coffee. Augusta intuitively
realized this was not a morning to speak to the boss.
Marla woke up late. Sitting up in bed she could have
cuffed herself for last night’s tantrum. Long ago she
promised herself she would not put any pressure on
Travis. She knew he would not accept it. She had let
her emotions get the best of her.
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191
Frightened by Travis’s lack of attention and
remoteness, her fright had sent her into a tempest of
emotions. Laying all her feelings on Travis last night
was the last thing she ever meant to do. She was well
aware, this morning, a great amount of their
relationship was destroyed last night and now it was
time to do some mending.
Thinking about how she could undo the damage, Marla
looked out the window. She saw Evan and Julia
chattering wildly and racing off to who knows where.
She was getting very suspicious of Evan’s intentions
these days.
“What is it they see in that slip of a girl?” She
wondered. “In my book she is dull, slow and a tomboy!
I am twice the woman she is.” She observed herself in
the mirror. “Even when I wake up I am still a lovely
woman.” Shrugging and tired of heavy thought she
plopped back down on the pillows. She had to keep her
energy to plot her next move.
Travis was drinking his coffee and slowly his mind
awakened to the chores for the day. Mavis and David
came sleepily down and asked where Julia was. For an
instant Travis’s heart skipped a beat thinking maybe
she had eloped with Evan then Augusta chimed in.
“She and Evan are having a picnic at the swimming
hole.” “I’m going to be your teacher today.”
Travis jerked his head up. “I don’t know about this,” he
said. “I pay her to be here to teach and take care of
my kids.” He banged his fist on the table making David
and Mavis jump. “Lately she acts as if she’s already
gone.” “I have half a mind to go and get her and make
her take her responsibilities more seriously.” Slamming
his coffee cup on the table.
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Augusta quieting her voice, reminded him that
everyone else but Julia had been given or asked for
time off.
“Travis, she has worked just as hard or harder than a
lot of the men here. She needs sometime to enjoy
herself. They’re just having a innocent picnic at the
water hole. Let her alone.”
Travis had to admit that it was true and calmed down.
His blood pressure went up again when he
remembered how she looked that day at the swimming
hole. Panic spread through his body when he thought
of her being alone with Evan. She was innocent and
unaware of life and desire. The way Evan already
admired her who knew what would happen.
Excusing himself from the table he accidentally
knocked down a chair in his haste to get to his
bedroom. Augusta chuckled to herself as he clumsily
raced out of the kitchen. He hurriedly dressed to
become Julia’s knight in shining armor should she need
it.
The day was warm and the sun was beginning to fall
down upon the couple with a vengeance.
“Boy it’s getting rather hot isn’t it?” Evan fanned
himself with a napkin and then proceeded to fan Julia.
“Mmmm, that feels good.” She lifted her hair off of her
neck and let the breeze cool her. Evan watched her as
she closed her eyes and relished in the fanned breeze.
He had never felt protective toward a woman before
but his feelings for Julia were beginning to take on the
attitude of ownership. Putting down his napkin he
started to undo the collar on his shirt.
“I don’t know about you but I am ready for a swim.”
Undoing his buttons he pulled off his shirt revealing a
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193
well-shaped chest with just a feathering of hair. “Come
on Julia, lets go swimming.” Julia hesitated.
“Is this proper Evan?” “I mean should we be swimming
together half undressed?” Evan laughed. There was still
some wickedness in him. She hadn’t changed him that
much yet. Sighing he touched her on the cheek.
“Silly girl.” “We’re not skinny dipping!” He rubbed her
arm and said, “If you’re uncomfortable, just come in
with your dress on.” “Otherwise just strip down to your
shift.” “It will cover you enough.”
Julia decided that he was right and shyly headed
toward some trees that grew clumped together to
afford her some privacy. Taking off her dress she
gingerly laid it on some bushes and timidly stepped
towards the water. Evan was swimming the opposite
direction so she quickly dove into the water to regain
her privacy.
When Evan saw her he raced back to where she was.
Popping up in front of her, he shook his head free of
water spraying her and causing her to put her hand in
front of her to ward off the force of the water. Then
challenging her to a race, the two swimmers took off
and Julia came in a close second coming to the other
side of the pond.
Unbeknownst to either of them, Travis trying to fight
the urge, had wandered down to the swimming hole
and was spying on the couple. He couldn’t let
something happen to Julia but he would not reveal
himself unless she was actually in trouble. He did not
want to hear the anger in her voice when she berated
him for humiliating her.
The couple frolicked and cavorted for several minutes
then they both raced out of the pond to dry themselves
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194
with the sun. Julia grabbed her dress and was holding
it in front of her for privacy. Travis’s eyes opened wide
with shock and then narrowed with anger when
dressed only in her shift she raced over to Evan.
“Come here Julia,” Evan called to her with his arms
outstretched to her. “Let’s dry in the sun.” Julia came
and sat down and Evan took her dress out of her hands
and set it beside her. “You don’t need to be shy with
me Julia.” His voice became like honey warmed tea.
Soothing and mellow. He picked a strand of hair off of
her face and caressed her cheek with his hand.
“I think I am beginning to fall in love with you Julia.”
She looked into his eyes. The tenderness she saw
touched her heart with a thankfulness that she couldn’t
describe. “Maybe, she thought to herself, maybe he is
the one for me.” Her heart did a tug as pictures of
Travis ran through her mind. “Travis does not want you
Julia.” “He has made that perfectly clear.”
Evan’s face came closer and closer and their lips
touched. His arms and hands stroked her hair and ran
down the length of her arms. He whispered into her
ear, “Julia will you marry me?” “You’d make me the
happiest man in the world.” She pulled herself away
from the kiss and looked at him. She was not sure how
she felt but this was better than being alone and
unwanted.
“Yes,” she said. “Yes, I will marry you.” Evan, delighted
at the prospect of marriage with Julia, ecstatically
hugged her.
“Now Julia, my love, since you are to be my wife, you
must obey me in all things. Let’s keep this our secret.”
“I don’t want to announce it until after he Harvest
Festival, OK? Everyone will be there and we can have a
wonderful time telling everyone.”
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“All right Evan.” “I promise.” Julia giggled as he pulled
her to him and kissed her again. His kiss was
possessive and tender at the same time. He wanted to
experience all of her but not now he decided. I’ll wait a
little longer for that.
Travis watched the intimate couple. Tears welled in his
eyes. She did not fight him off; she gave herself to
Evan as she had once given herself to him. He had lost.
She was Evan’s now and nothing could change that.
Here was another thing that he had botched up. In a
midst of blurred images, he got up and made his way
home.
When he got home, Marla was waiting for him on the
porch. She knew where he had been and by the look
on his face, she knew Evan had held to his side of the
bargain. Smiling tenderly at Travis she stopped him by
placing her hand on his arm.
“Travis honey.” “Are you all right?” She slid her hand
up his arm. He looked at her and the look withered her
all the way to her insides. Calmly but with savage
intensity he said,
“Get out and take your brother with you.” He left her
standing there while he went into the house banging
the door behind him. Racing in behind him Marla
followed him to his bedroom.
“What is the meaning of this Travis?” “I know we had a
fight last night but we have had fights before and you
have never spoke to me like this.” She was wringing
her hands and crying. He thought she was a pitiful
sight.
“Stop it Marla.” “Please don’t beg.” He sat on his bed
and put his head in his hands. Toning down her voice
and getting control of herself, Marla sat down next to
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196
him. Inside she was losing herself. She had never
expected a reaction like this.
“All right Travis.” “I will go.” “I do have all my harvest
festival things here and the festival is tomorrow.” “For
old times sake, could we please pull a truce and have
our plans last until tomorrow?” Travis looked at Marla,
the woman who had helped him through a very difficult
time in his life. He felt like such a jerk. It was not her
fault that Evan and Julia were together. Pulling her to
him he hugged her and even though it was a platonic
hug it gave Marla hope.
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197
CHAPTER 25
CHAPTER 25
CHAPTER 25
CHAPTER 25
Julia was sitting in her bedroom writing in her journal.
It was the morning of the Harvest Festival. It was
surprisingly warm and there was no threat of rain.
Smiling Julia thought about the announcement she and
Evan would make today. Whispering to herself, she
voiced the words that she had thought she’d never say.
“I am going to be married!”
She mused on the idea for a few seconds when she
heard Travis’s voice outside her bedroom door. He and
Marla were going to take the children to the Harvest
Festival and she figured that he was there to pick the
children up. The kids were laughing and she could hear
their voices raucous and unending in their excitement
of a special occasion.
Julia loved the sound of his voice. Soft and deep it
comforted her in a blanket of masculinity. The
happiness that only seconds ago warmed her, fell to
the floor like a discarded jacket.
“Oh Travis, she thought, it could have been you and
me. She would never feel about another man the way
she felt about Travis. She never struggled to get to
know him; she just knew him.
Evan was sweet and gracious to her, but she didn’t
know him, and certainly she didn’t love him the way
she loved Travis.
Remembering what she said in the coach on the way
here she painfully realized how naive the statement
had been.
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“When I love, it will be a perfect love. I will accept
nothing less than that.” A knock on the door roused
her out of reverie.
“Julia, come on honey.” “We’ve got everything packed
and we’re ready to go.” “On my way Augusta.” Julia
had been up almost all night with the preparing of the
items they would take with them today and weariness
edged her excitement for the day. Pulling herself up,
she started her morning regime and began to dress.
Augusta, Marla and Evan were busy packing the
wagons when Julia strolled into the yard.
“My, my, my,” Augusta looked at the girl with surprise
and wonderment. Evan looked at Julia in appreciation,
and Marla looked suspiciously at Evan.
Julia was dressed in a white high necked lace dress
with a tight bodice accentuating her charming form.
The bodice graced by a broach the color of a ruby
gilded with an accent of gold was the only adornment
on the dress. She wore her shiny copper hair pulled
back. Holding it in place were two matching combs in
the same ruby color. Ruby and pearl earrings finished
off the picture and a beautiful picture it was. Evan
walked up to her and looked her up and down.
“Julia, you look like a dream.” She smiled and looked
into the eyes of the man she was going to marry.
“Thank you,” was all she said. She felt beautiful today.
Travis and the children were next to be out the doors.
Mavis ran up to Julia.
“Juwee, you’re pwetty.” Julia picked Mavis up and held
her close. She was going to miss these children and the
minutes were speeding by that knit her to them. “You
are too, sweetie.” She looked into the face of Mavis
and wished she never had to leave.
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Since the incident at the pond, Travis had tried his best
to ignore Julia, but today he couldn’t help sneaking a
look. He couldn’t believe what he saw. She had grown
up before his eyes.
Emanating from her person was a warm inviting
woman who could create desire in any man who would
happen upon her. Feeling his gaze on her, Julia glanced
over at him. Their eyes locked in a bonding of
whatever connection their souls had with one another.
It had always been that way with them and it always
would be. There was no question, nor reason, for the
bonding but it held them, possessed them even
through their separation of friendship. The desire
between them cooked at a slow burn and ate at their
beings. It was evident to all who were near them.
Evan, not missing the chemistry, cleared his throat and
touched Julia’s arm.
“Julia, it’s time to go.” Tearing herself away from her
attraction to Travis, she turned to Evan.
“Yes, Evan; I’m coming.” Evan helped her into the
wagon and as Augusta helped pull her up, she
whispered in her ear.
“Dear, you and I are going to have a talk.” Julia looked
questioningly at her and then settled next to her.
Marla, Travis and the children settled in the flatbed
wagon.
A couple of hours later the entourage reached
Mournful. Usually a town with very few people,
Mournful was busting its’ seams with people from all
over the area. Banners lined the entrance to the town
with calligraphic wording hailing the Harvest Festival.
Tables laden with a variety of foods created to tempt
the palete filled the roadway. Decorated with red, white
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200
and blue tablecloths they added a festive mood to the
customarily dull town.
Anxious to get to the pickled cucumber contest that
she was bound and determined to win again this year,
Augusta started to bark orders to everyone. Like a drill
sergeant, she expertly directed duties for everything to
be set up so they could all go and enjoy the festivities.
Marla for once agreed, she was eager to enter her
sweet potato pie in the pie contest. Travis loved her
sweet potato pie.
At the outer edge of the town was a park where
everyone set up their picnic equipment. It was a
beautiful area surrounded by pine trees that provided
shade and the beautiful ring of smoky mountains that
encircled the city. A little stream went through the
park. Adults and children, after a day of eating and
touring, would make use of the stream wading their
tired feet in the cool water. Inevitably, someone would
start a water fight and a free for all would begin.
It was Evan and Julia’s job to find a suitable place for
the group's picnic. They found a spot nestled next to
the stream with some big rocks behind them that
formed a barrier from the wind should it come up in
the evening.
In the middle of the park the town had built a dance
floor. Attached at the four corners of the floor were ten
foot posts connected by rope. These ropes held
lanterns that lit at dusk would brighten the way for
dancing. Swaying gently in the breeze the lanterns
would look like giant fireflies when the sun went down.
Because of the long distance, they had agreed on
boarding arrangements. Travis and Julia and the
children were going to stay at Augusta’s and Marla and
Evan would stay at Marla’s house.
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201
The cheerful sunshine and warmth of the day
brightened up everyone’s moods. Life seemed good for
the time being. Everyone agreed on the time and place
to meet for lunch and then they split up to join
whatever event they wanted to be part of.
Evan and Julia meandered arm and arm over to the
jelly making contest.
They laughed at the faces the judge made at each of
the wonderful delicacies he tasted. When they left,
they amused themselves with reenacting the faces the
man made and were laughing heartily until Evan’s face
suddenly went pale and Julia felt his body go tense.
“Evan, what is it?” Julia touched his arm concerned at
his expression. He looked at her but was not seeing
her.
“Julia, would you excuse me for a moment?” “I think I
see some business associates of mine.” Puzzled, Julia
stood where Evan left her. She craned her head
forward looking through the crowd scrutinizing the men
Evan was walking up to.
They were hard looking men, dressed like Evan had
first been dressed when he came here. The
conversation was grim and one of the men pushed
Evan ever so slightly. It looked like he was threatening
him by the way he pointed his forefinger at him. When
Evan turned around, he looked frightened and the
paleness had not left him.
“I’m sorry Julia,” he took her arm and led her away.
Taking his handkerchief out of his waistcoat, he wiped
his face. “They are some business partners of mine
telling me of some problems they are having.” Julia
looked at Evan with sympathetic concern.
“Evan, is there anything I can do?”
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202
“No dear,” Evan put his arm around her shoulder and
then played with her hair. “It will be all right.” “No
need to bother that pretty little head about this.” He
seemed to relax and his mood lightened so Julia
figured everything would be fine.
“When are we going to announce our engagement
Evan?” Julia took his hand. “I’m so eager to let
everyone know.”
“What?” He seemed somewhat distracted. “Oh, ah, well
tonight dear.” “I want to keep you to myself as much
as possible.”
“Well Evan,” Julia gazed into his eyes seductively,
“seems to me I’ll be yours forever.” Evan tenderly
kissed her and indecision and guilt clutched his insides.
The men he spoke with were creditors who somehow
found out where he was and found him. They were
demanding that he pay his gambling debts. They gave
him until Monday and then they’d be coming for him.
He thought he was safe in Montana but his world was
now crumbling and desperation was backing him to a
wall. How had they found him?
Every once in a while, Travis would get a glimpse of
Julia. Dressed way too finely for the group of people
that attended these festivities made him wonder why
she was dressed so formally. Had Evan asked her to
marry him? He didn’t like the idea that she would
belong to another man, be held by another man, have
children from another man. The more he thought about
it, the more depressed he became. Marla noticed his
depression.
She was getting fed up with Travis. This day was not
turning out like she had wanted. Everything she had
planned now seemed to be out of control and her
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203
nerves were getting the better of her. She needed
some time to talk to Evan. Wondering if the men she
hired to scare him had done their job, she scanned the
crowd for her brother. Not seeing him she bit her lip in
frustration.
Marla felt a moment of guilt when she sent the
telegram to his creditors telling them where he was but
she also spent a lot of time justifying to herself that
she really was doing the right thing. After all, Julia
certainly didn’t need Evan as a husband and if he was
going to be weak and indecisive, she was going to have
some security on her side. She did not want him falling
in love with Julia. She had not planned on this. When
you fell in love you became heroic and weak. He would
not succeed in this and she was going to make sure of
it.
Linking her arm in Travis’s she smiled in the privacy of
her conspiracy. Julia would be leaving soon, Evan
would leave with or without her. Augusta would be
back in her own house. That left Travis with nothing,
nothing except her.
The day wore on and a pink glow started to tinge the
frosty mountain tops. A slight chill made the women
reach for their shawls. The children who were die hards
in the stream jumped out and wrapped themselves in
blankets sitting by the fires to dry.
The atmosphere started to quiet down and all the
different groups of people sat down in their areas tired
and relaxed from a day free of work and worry. The
crackling of the individual fires, created different
aromas, depending on whatever was cooking, and the
low murmurs of the people created an air of
togetherness and camaraderie.
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204
The lanterns shined brightly on the dance floor and
everyone clapped at the start of a new activity. A small
orchestra consisting of a piano, banjo and violin started
playing soft and easy. Young couples who were still full
of energy, stepped onto the dance floor and moved to
the music.
Augusta had won the cucumber contest again. Tired
from her excursions she had fallen asleep under the
large pine tree they had set their picnic under. Marla
hadn’t won the pie contest, which didn’t surprise her
with all that had been happening. Sitting and fanning
herself to keep the mosquitos at bay she kept looking
impatiently at Travis expecting him to ask her to
dance.
Mavis and David had fallen asleep after filling their
tummies with all sorts of goodies. Evan and Julia sat
next to each other listening to the sounds around
them. Travis was watching Evan and Julia discreetly of
course.
All afternoon Evan had been distant and ambiguous.
Julia wondered when they were going to make the
announcement but she didn’t want to push him into it.
Every once in awhile, she would lock eyes with Travis
but his eyes were empty and unreadable.
Slowly more couples started to rise; man and woman,
boy and girl got up on the dance floor and started to
move to the music.
“Evan,” Marla walked up to her brother. “Since no one
else is going to ask me, would you like to dance?”
Marla gave Evan a conspiratorial look. Alerted to her
meaning, he smiled and stood up taking her
outstretched hand. Looking back at Julia he said,
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205
“Why I’d love to dance with my sister. Excuse me Julia.
I will be right back and then we’ll dance the night
away.” Julia smiled at Evan thinking what an attentive
brother he was.
Left behind, Travis and Julia sat next to each other in
nervous silence
“Evan,” Marla followed his lead. “What is going on?”
Evan looked back at Julia.
“I can’t talk to you right now about this.” He gracefully
turned her around.
“Then meet me in back of the rocks in five minutes.”
She looked hard at him. “I mean it Evan.” Evan sighed
and nodded his head. When the music was over, they
parted. Making an excuse, Marla explained that she
needed to go to her store and wanted Evan to help her.
“I can help you Marla,” Travis stood up to assist her.
“No, dear.” “You stay here and enjoy the music.” “I’ll
just be a minute.” Travis was nervous to be alone with
Julia so he strolled along the park visiting people along
the way.
He was on his way to visit with the mayor when his
eyes caught two strangers that approached Marla and
Evan. They did not go to the store but headed for the
rocks near where they were sitting. Intuitively he felt
something was going on and he followed them to find
out what it was. Nestling himself next to the rocks, he
got close enough to hear their conversation.
“Marla, what are these men doing here?” Travis could
hear the nervousness and fright in Evan’s voice.
“They are here to assure me that our deal will take
place as agreed.” Marla’s voice was hard with a tone
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206
Travis had never heard before; almost masculine in its
intensity.
“You, my sister?” “You sent them here?” Evan lunged
forward towards her but the men held him back pinning
his arms behind him.
“I asked you to get her out of here Evan.” Travis’s
attention became piqued. “That was our agreement for
the money I paid you.” “You have played around too
long and then on top of it you have fallen in love with
her.” “Do you plan to marry her?” Her voice took on a
sneering tone. “A simple girl with no experience who is
looking for a knight in shining armor to keep her safe
and warm?” She laughed. “Can you do that Evan?”
Travis didn’t see Evan’s face but he heard his voice
filled with pain and hopelessness.
“You don’t understand.” He cried. “You would never
understand because there isn’t a sweet bone in your
body.” “She was the first person who made me feel like
I was worth something.” “I don’t want to lose that.”
Evan shrugged out of the grasp of the men who
allowed him to. “I am planning on marrying her.” “I will
move heaven and earth to be a good husband to her.”
“I still will be honoring our deal.”
Travis felt sick to his stomach. Julia was headed for a
terrible hurt. Another hurt. He needed to help Julia.
She deserved better than what she would get with
Evan. Needing to do something, he stepped out of his
hiding place and looked at the group that he now
despised.
“Travis honey,” Marla was once again her sweet
southern self. “We’re just visiting with some old
friends.”
The look that Travis gave her told her to be quiet.
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207
“I heard everything Marla.” “I never want to hear or
look at you again.” Marla, knowing it was all over
started to scream.
“After everything I did for you.” “Slept with you, gave
everything to you.” “You want that namby, pamby
thing?” She was yelling with enough gusto that
everyone was now looking toward the direction of the
argument. Julia hearing Marla jumped up with Augusta
and raced over to the commotion. Augusta seeing what
was happening held Julia back.
“Honey don’t go over there.” Augusta held Julia’s arm.
Julia hearing Travis and Marla arguing shook off
Augusta’s hand and ran to where the commotion was.
“You never did anything for me Marla.” Travis was now
yelling. “You did it all for yourself. Then to get Evan to
try to woo Julia so I couldn’t have her. That’s going
way too far.” Marla stood there shaking with rage. She
looked over at Julia who now was looking at Evan with
hurt and shock registered on her face. Travis turned
around and saw the pain that consumed Julia. It
consumed him also. Marla saw the look on Travis’s face
and she could stand no more.
“I hired him to seduce you Julia.” Marla face distorted
with jealously and revenge was no longer pretty. She
viciously cried out. “I was going to give him three
thousand dollars to get you out of here.” She started to
laugh hysterically. Travis lurched toward her and
wanted to kill her. Julia called out to Travis to stop. He
whirled around and looked at her.
“Is that true Evan?” Julia stared at Evan silently
praying that it was all untrue. Travis ached with the
pain she would have to go through. Evan looked
pleadingly at Julia.
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208
“Julia, it started out that way but I came to love you. I
really did.” Julia looked from Evan to Travis. She felt
like her heart was going to explode. Barely able to
breathe, she broke away from the group and started to
run.
Having no direction or purpose, she continued to run,
rueing the day she had ever seen this town. Tired of
not being wanted she prayed that she would die.
Augusta, frightened by the look on her face, screamed
at Travis to go get her. Travis paused for a second and
told Evan not to leave.
“This isn’t finished yet.” He growled. Then he began to
run after Julia who was quickly becoming a dot in the
distance.
Julia ran and ran until her lungs ached. Breathing in
was agony. When she could run no farther she fell on
the ground sobbing; sure she was going to die just
from the agony of living.
She heard footsteps behind her and she turned around
and saw Travis standing there. Her face was puffy and
distorted from the crying and her eyes were red and
filled with grief.
“Get out of here.” She screamed at Travis. “I hate all of
you. Get out.” She screamed once again. Travis stood
there compassionately staring at her.
“No Julia, I won’t go. Not this time.” He spread his feet
out as though he was imprinting himself on that piece
of land.
“Then I will.” Julia jumped up from the ground and
started running again. He knew she couldn’t go far.
Exhausted and played out Travis knew all her energy
reserves would soon fail her. Sure enough he saw her
fall down a few yards ahead of him.
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209
Slowly walking over to where she was lying, he looked
down upon the woman he had come to respect and
love. Bending down he turned her over and picked her
up and carried her like a child he was putting to bed.
Exhaustion took the fight out of her so she weakly laid
her head on his chest.
Julia sobbed so hard she began to gasp for air. Travis
held her close to his heart. Sitting on a log that was
laying on the field he crooned comfort to her. She was
in his arms safe and comforted.
“There, there Julia.” He pulled her hair from her face.
As comforting as it was Julia could no longer trust
Travis and she had to get away from him and all the
hurt. Struggling to get free she screamed at him again.
“Let me go Travis!” She raked at his hand to get it off
her. “What do you think you’re doing?” “You’re going to
pretend you want me and then you’re going to get
scared and throw me away just like before.” She fought
off his grasp and was kicking and trying to bite him.
Travis had had enough. He took her by the shoulders
and shook her.
“What are you trying to do, kill me.” She yelled out
through shaking teeth.
“I’m trying to shake some sense into the woman I
love.” Julia stopped struggling and stared into Travis’s
eyes.
“You what?” Her eyes bored into his not believing what
he said but wanting to desperately for it to be true.
“I am trying to tell you I love you Julia. Please, I could
not bear any other man having you. You are mine,
body, soul, mind and spirit and you know it.” Taking
his hands off her shoulders and laying them by his side
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210
he sat there looking at her; waiting nervously for her
tirade to begin again.
When she just looked at him he quietly said to her the
words she had told him what seemed like so long ago.
“You know how I feel about you because you feel the
same way.” “Remember saying that to me Julia?” She
gently put her hand on his face, than onto his shoulder
and brought herself to him and laid her head on his
chest.
“You’re right Travis. I am yours and I always will be. It
seems like I was only waiting until you said the words.”
Lifting her chin so he could look down into her beautiful
emerald eyes, Travis gathered her tightly to himself.
He felt the peace and belonging, that seemed to evade
him for so long, fill his heart. He kissed the top of her
head. She looked up at him with eyes filled with love
that mirrored his own. Gathering his hands in her hair,
that glorious colored hair, he bent down and kissed
her. Softly and gently he touched her lips to his and it
was she that gathered her arms around his neck and
huskily said to him.
“Kiss me Travis.” “I won’t break.” It was then that all
the passion and want they had for each other molded
them and sealed the bond.
Soul Cry of the Heart
211
CHAPTER 26
CHAPTER 26
CHAPTER 26
CHAPTER 26
When Travis made sure that Julia was all right, he put
her into Augusta’s care and went to end some
unfinished business.
He found Evan sitting in front of Marla’s store.
“Evan,” Travis tipped his hat.
“Travis.” Evan looked up at Travis with an expression
that questioned whether the man was going to hit him
or not. “Well this is one festival we won’t soon forget.”
“How’s Marla?”
“Don’t worry about my sister Travis.” “She’ll come out
of it.” “She’s been used to getting her own way since
she was a child and I suppose this will take some time
to get over. She’s probably going to sell the store and
go back to Georgia.” Then as a second thought he said,
“I’d keep Julia away from her for a while though.”
Travis smiled.
“Yeah I think you’re right.” Evan’s face grew serious.
“I did love her Travis. I would have never hurt her.”
Travis nodded his head.
“I know.” Both men paused in silent thought.
“You know,” Travis said looking out at the mountains
rubbing the back of his neck, “you did a lot of work for
me while you were here. I never paid you for it. You
did a lot of doctoring also and that costs money. I’d
like to pay you for that.” Evan looked with disbelief at
Travis.
“No Travis. Under the circumstances I couldn’t take it.”
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212
“Well I met the two strangers who came into town on
my way here and they’ll be leaving today. They won’t
be bothering you any more.”
Evan stared into Travis’s face. He didn’t know what to
say. Travis placed his hand on his shoulder. “You aren’t
a bad fellow Evan. You made Julia happy for a while
and you were a great help at the ranch. We were all
used by Marla in some way. Family should give help
without gain. It isn’t right that you don’t get something
out of it.”
Evan stood up and shook hands with Travis.
“You are a grand man sir. I really mean that.”
Travis started to leave. He was anxious to get back to
Julia. Turning back to Evan, he added an afterthought.
“We need a doctor here. Consider it. It’d keep you out
of trouble.” Evan nodded his head as he watched the
big man walk over to Augusta’s house.
Julia was waiting for him on Augusta’s porch and when
she saw Travis, she ran to him. As she ran to him,
Suzanne’s image came into view once more for the last
time. She nodded her head as though she was
affirming what was happening. When Julia got to the
spot where she was, the image dissolved into Julia.
Travis understood now what Suzanne was trying to tell
him. He caught Julia in his arms and hugged her as
though he would never let her go.
Married in an Indian ceremony on a beautiful but cold
November day, Travis and Julia sealed their love for
one another. By now the trees had just about dropped
all their leaves and were waiting for the renewing sleep
of winter when they’d waken for a rebirth.
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213
The tribe hearing of Travis’s marriage postponed their
wintry trek but did not have much time until the snow
set in. There was not much time for grand planning so
the wedding, hastily prepared, but desired by many
took place very quickly. Julia looked radiant in her
white deerskin dress and beaded moccasins. Travis
peaceful now in his decision looked tenderly at Julia
who thought he was the handsomest man in the world
in his buckskins.
The whole town, through Travis’s urging, relaxed their
fear of the Indians. It was a time for rejoicing and for
the time being both cultures joined the beautiful copper
haired girl and the now most non eligible man in the
area in a beautiful white man and Indian ceremony.
When the ceremony was over, Travis pulled the
beautiful turquoise necklace out of his pocket that Owl
Woman had given to him and placed it around Julia’s
neck.
Owl Woman’s face shined when she saw it. Nodding
her head in happiness and clapping her hands, she was
now more than ready for Maho Peneta to come and
claim her. All her family was well and happy. Travis
and Julia, white wolf and loon would begin their lives
together.
Augusta watched them as they walked hand in hand
down into the valley towards the Lake of Good Tears.
The tribe had set up a lodge on the banks of the river
so Travis and Julia could have privacy and a time of
aloneness that was the Mandan way. A loon’s mournful
cry rode the breeze stirring the souls of each person
who heard it. Julia heard it also and smiled at the call
of her spirit host. It had shown her the way. Clear
Water also heard the loon and thanked the Great Spirit
for the spirit guide of the girl.
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214
The Spirits were right again. The loon who had cried
from its’ soul to deliver her people had entered into
Julia’s spirit. She had delivered Travis from
unhappiness, Evan from bondage and now the unity of
Indian and white man. Clear Water wondered if Julia
knew what changes she made. Someday she’d tell her.
The beautiful couple became dots amid the majestic
snow peaked mountains and the intense blue sky.
Sighing and inwardly congratulating herself on a job
well done, Augusta wiped her hands on her apron as
though signifying the end of an era and turned to join
the festivities.
“Landsakes,” she said as she wiped away a tear of
happiness.
THE END