Page 39 of Westbound Awakening

"I don't know yet for sure. Part of me has grown to like Hawkins' lands, but when you and Wesley move and Miss Lady leaves, I may grow lonely. I am not sure I want to remain here with only Elma for company. Like I said there is much to decide." Mae leaned forward when the town came into view. "Oh dear it looks like the stagecoach has arrived. I hope they've not waited too long." She rubbed her palms on her skirts and shifted in her seat.

John smiled at her excitement. "It looks to me they've only just arrived. Look they are still unloading the baggage." He found a place and reigned in the horses, then climbed down and helped Mae to do so as well. He held her hand as she ascended, the warmth of it taking him by surprise. Mae hesitated before drawing it away, but accepted his arm to lead her across the packed dirt walkway to the stagecoach station.

Several townspeople turned and greeted them, most of them casting curious glances at them and then whispering to each other about who they were. No doubt, they'd heard of Hawkins' daughter, but from the looks of regard, talks of her beauty had not done her justice. Oblivious to the stares, Mae greeted several folks with warm smiles and even stopped to admire a woman's baby, much to the young mother's delight.

Miss Lady waited outside the station. She stood with her back straight and waited for them to approach. With a squeal of delight, Mae threw her arms around the diminutive lady and kissed her face. "Oh Miss Lady, I have missed you so much," Mae wiped an errant tear away. "I can't believe you're here." She turned a bright smile on John and he went to greet Miss Lady.

"Well look at you Captain McClain. You look well recovered," Miss Lady regarded him up and down. "I'd say living out west suits you well."

John kissed her cheek and picked up her bag. "Thank you Miss Lady, how was your travel?"

"Too long for this old woman, just too long," Miss Lady replied taking Mae's arm and walking briskly toward the wagon, not seeming to be tired at all. Lucinda, who John remembered from the brothel, picked up the other bag and followed behind them, her bright red dress and saunter causing several townsmen to take notice.

The ride back was filled with chatter, the women catching up what occurred since they'd left Virginia. John remained quiet, only answering when they asked him something directly. Mae told Miss Lady about her father's dying and described the ranch and each of the people who worked there. When she described Joshua, John couldn't help but noticed she went into significantly more detail, telling of his height, hair, color and body build.

Miss Lady asked him about Wesley, when Mae told her about his son, but as usual the woman was wise enough not to ask the nature of his relationship with his son's mother. Although Mae did not tell Miss Lady of what happened to his leg, John got the impression her discerning eyes had already figured it out.

Upon approaching the ranch, the two newcomers gushed about the beauty of the lands and house, which made John study the sight before him as well. The pecan tree lined road to the ranch house was indeed picturesque and the soft rolling hills, upon where horses and cattle grazed definitely gave a sense of wellbeing. This was what he envisioned his home would evolve to once he purchased it and worked it a few years. Not as large, but he intended to make it prosper.

21

Alan waited with Elma behind the house when John pulled the cart with the visitors around to the back. Once they stopped, he went to the rear to unload the trunks only to stop when a slender woman joined him and began tugging at a smaller one.

"I've got this ma'am," he told her while at the same time putting his hand out the stop the trunk from sliding.

Almond shaped eyes met his, and the woman huffed taking a step back. "Fine, if you want to break your back then go ahead."

At a loss for words, he could only stare at her. In a bright red dress, with short matching gloves, the slight woman looked to weigh much less than the trunk she'd attempted to unload. Flawless caramel skin, her heart shaped face was framed by dark curls. She brought a gloved hand over her brow to shade her eyes from the sun and raised an eyebrow at him. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

"I -- I'm sorry miss, you took me by surprise." He felt his face heat up and turned away to the trunks. "I'll get this right in if you wish to go on in."

She didn't move, actually seemed reluctant to follow Mae, Elma and the older woman who were already in the kitchen. Arms filled with parcels, John followed after them and went inside.

"My name is Lucinda Roberts," she said.

The truck was heavy, but he held it without moving toward the house. "It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Alan Murphy."

Lucinda didn't smile. "Yes, well I suppose I should go on in." Her eyes lingered toward the house, but she did not move.

Alan placed the trunk back on the wagon. "Why don't we walk a bit? I can show you around."

Relief poured from her and she bobbed her head up and down. "I would like that. It's a nice day, thank you."

When she slipped her hand through his arm, a sensation like of finally taking a deep breath after holding it for years, took him by surprise. He guided her away from the house toward the paddock so she could see the horses and colts grazing. They stopped before a fence and she placed her hands on it seeming to take it all in. "It's beautiful here." She blinked several times and took a shaky breath. "Momma needs to be here."

"What about you?"

There was a challenge in her eyes when she straightened her shoulders and met his stare dead on. Gone was any sign of vulnerability, any softness. Like clouds taking away sunshine, shadows covered any sign of openness. "I don't belong anywhere." The curve to her lips being more cruel than friendly caught his attention. "Except maybe the brothel from which I just came from."

When he didn't react, her mouth opened slightly, both eyebrows rose. She was beautiful. Alan allowed his mouth to curve into a rare smile. "Sometimes fate has other plans for us, doesn't it?"

"Isn't that the truth?" Lucinda retorted. "The bastard takes it all away and we're supposed to accept it."

She turned on her heel and head held high, went into the house.

Alan remained by the fence in thought. Her past could have been a hard one, but he was hard-pressed to think it could be worse than his.

When he entered the house with the first trunk, only Elma greeted him. She directed they be placed in Mr. Hawkins' old bedroom, and Alan took them there, until one by one all three were lined up against the wall. Each time he passed, he stole a glance into the front room where Mae and the older woman, Miss Lady sat on chairs drinking coffee and chatting amiably.