“Well, that’s part of why I’m here,” Crockett said. “The family wanted you to have something for the dancing. And my pa sent a pair of my mother’s shoes for you, Jane, so you wouldn’t have to wear your boots. And one of Ma’s dresses. Annie said to tell you that if you need help altering it, she and Coralee could come over later.”
Jane caught her breath. “That’s…” Her eyes filled with tears. “I’m sure it will be just fine, Crockett.”
He shrugged. “Maybe a little out of style. My mama’s been gone a long time.”
“All of our ma’s things burnt in the fire,” Ben said.
“I figured.” Crockett managed a smile. “Brought you something, too, Ben. A clean shirt and pants. And Austin threw in a shirt for your pa.”
“You didn’t have to,” Jane said. She had seen how even the nicest of the neighbors made it clear they were bringing food and household goods and spending a few hours working for her and Ben’s sake, not for her father.
“I know,” Crockett said, “but folks want to. It’s the same when someone’s sick or when there’s a funeral.”
Jane frowned. She hadn’t seen much of the neighborliness he was talking about.
He untied a bundle from behind his saddle and passed it to her. She couldn’t resist opening the sack—a nice, well-washed flour sack she could use to make towels from—and peeking inside. Folds of blue cotton and some kind of shiny green material lay within.
“I’m sure this is more than you oughta do,” she said. “But thank you. And tell the ladies they don’t need to stir themselves. If the dress doesn’t fit, I can fix it.”
Crockett smiled, a nice, warm smile. “I’ll do that. But they’re all coming tomorrow. Except maybe Emma. If she feels poorly, she’ll stay home.”
“She ought to,” Jane said. “I felt bad that she rode all the way over here the other day in the wagon. Tell her and the others we—” She glanced at Ben. “Well, we appreciate it.”
“Yeah.” Ben nodded.
“I will. Oh, Jane, there’s one more thing.” Crockett walked around his horse and worked open the other saddlebag. He came back with a book in his hands. “If you’ve a mind to, I’d like to lend you this. It was my mama’s small Bible. Pa has a big one that he takes to church, but Ma liked this one because it was smaller and easy to carry around. And it was hers.”
Jane took the volume. The leather cover was worn on the corners, and the edges of the pages showed water stains. She had never seen a Bible so small.
“It’s a little banged up,” Crockett said apologetically. “I take it with me sometimes when I’m going on roundup or up in the hills. Anytime a new book came into the house, my ma would read it. She read lots of things out loud to us boys when we were young. But the Bible was always her favorite.”
Jane nodded. “I recall she had a beautiful voice. I used to listen to her in church, when we’d sing the hymns.”
“I haven’t seen you at church lately.”
She swallowed hard.
“We’re usually too busy,” Ben said. “This ranch is tough—it gets away from you.”
“I know what you mean,” Crockett said.
“Janie,” Boyd yelled from his nest near the barn.
“Yeah, Pa?” she called back.
“What you jawin’ about? Get something on for dinner. I’m right hungry.”
“Sure thing.” She threw Crockett a rueful look. “Thanks. I guess we’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Right.” He swung into the saddle and rode away.
Chapter Four
Crockett let his paint out into the pasture when he got home, and he took a second look at the horses inside the fence. Chisholm’s favorite red roan was grazing along with a half dozen others. His brother was home from his Ranger duties. Quickly, Crockett stowed his gear and strode to the house. Chisholm and his wife, Caro, were drinking coffee at the table with Pa and Hays.
“Hey!” Chisholm stood, stretching out his full six-foot-three height, tall like all of the brothers and their father.
Crockett slapped him on the shoulder. “Welcome home! Everything go all right?”
“Sort of. We got things settled down, finally. These range fights are never good.”
Crockett nodded. “At least you’re in one piece.”
“Amen,” Caro said softly.
Perla came through from the kitchen with a coffeepot in one hand and a basket of molasses cookies in the other. “Thought I heard a new arrival. Coffee, Crockett?”
“Thanks, I’d love some.” He sat down next to Chisholm.
“Well, we’d better get moving, Pa,” Hays said, pushing his chair back.
“All right, all right.” Their father clambered to his feet. “Let me get my hat.”
When he and Hays were out the door, Chisholm frowned at Crockett, his eyes troubled. “Pa looks awful.”
“I know. I don’t think he feels good lately.”
“He won’t admit it,” Caro said, “but I am sure you are right.” She set down her cup and smiled. “I am going to help Emma with some sewing, so I will leave you two alone.”
Chisholm laughed. “That’s hard to do in this house.” He slapped her backside playfully, and Caro’s eyes sparked. She leaned over and kissed him.
“You behave.”
He laughed again as she sashayed out of the room.
“Got yourself a wild mustang there,” Crockett said, reaching for a cookie.