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What in the world was her husband thinking? Mia slapped the lines to keep the horse moving behind the others who rode just ahead of her. What made him believe she would be able to drive the wagon all the way to Colyer’s ranch? Did he and the children really need to ride the horses? They were almost fifteen miles from their home for goodness’ sakes, and she’d never driven a wagon before in her life. Surely a few cows wouldn’t stray—not with two of them on horses and someone driving the wagon? Someone other than herself.
He’d given her a few pointers, showed her how to hold the leather lines attached to the collar and ultimately the bridle and the bit, which was what went in the horse’s mouth. Poor horse. She would hate having something equivalent to a metal rod between her teeth for hours.
The alternative, Josiah had reminded her, was for her to ride a horse. She quickly changed her mind about driving the wagon, although she still had no idea why it was necessary for her to be there. All Josiah told her was that it would be the perfect family event, so she gave in and followed.
Mia watched Josiah’s easy way with Billy. He managed to stop the youngster’s prodding and divert his attention to other things. Summer, on the other hand, remained quiet and listened. She would occasionally answer a question but, for the most part, she rode in silence, her gaze on the terrain around them.
Mia couldn’t help but wonder what was in the girl’s mind. What did she want from life? What were her dreams? She still hadn’t had a chance to figure out what had triggered Summer’s negative reaction and why she’d thrown the slate the day before. Billy mentioned the teacher had made fun of her in front of the class, but had that been the only reason? She tried to put herself in Summer’s place. How would she have felt if a teacher had ridiculed her once, or more than once, in front of fellow classmates? Would she have become withdrawn or angry like Summer?
Thoughtfully chewing on her bottom lip, Mia tried to mull over the possibilities and figure out how to deal with the issue at hand. She wanted to understand Summer, not drive her further away. Both she and Billy already had a distrust of white people because of previous treatment. In fact, if she were honest, their acceptance of her so far had gone surprisingly well.
“Penny for your thoughts?”
Josiah’s low voice beside her startled her, and she chomped down on her bottom lip. She let out a pained cry and sucked her sore lip into her mouth, scowling at her husband. “A warning would be nice.”
He chuckled. “I could have danced in front of you with a bucket on my head and you wouldn’t have noticed. You were miles away. What had you so preoccupied?”
She glanced over at Summer, who rode beside Billy. She pointed to something off in the distance and wasn’t paying attention to them. “Summer got frustrated with me yesterday. I guess I pushed her a bit too hard with a math problem, and she threw the slate across the room. Billy told me after she ran outside that the teacher used to make fun of her because she couldn’t add.”
He let out a low whistle. “No wonder you were so upset. I’m glad you didn’t tell me why or I would have gone in with you and probably said something regrettable.”
“Oh, I made myself look enough of a fool for the both of us. Billy told me after we got home that the teacher who did that was a man and is no longer employed here. The woman I laid into had only just arrived and taken over the teaching position about a month ago. Although, I can’t say I would send any child to be taught by her with her attitude toward the Creeks. She actually had the audacity to call them riff raff!”
“I was called a lot worse in school by my teachers. Riff raff is actually not horrible.”
“Josiah!”
He shrugged. “Truly, it isn’t. I know that sounds complacent and uncaring, but it isn’t. When you grow up isolated and treated as a stranger in your own home—not by your family, but by everyone around you, you become accustomed to the name calling. It is up to you how you deal with it and perceive yourself. I chose to not listen. My faith grounded me, and I accepted that no one is right or wrong because of his or her culture or outward appearance.
“We all have the same ambitions, regrets, and the need for acceptance. At least, most of us, anyway. There are always a few who break that mold and go their own way.”
“You will make a fantastic father one day.”
He gave her a crooked grin and glanced at the two nearby children. “I think that day is already here. I’m glad one of us has faith in me.”
Mia chuckled. “Quit fishing for compliments. You will do just fine and you know it.” She shaded her eyes with her hand as the wagon topped the hill. “I believe we’ve reached our destination. I hope you know what you’re doing because I know nothing about cattle.”
“If I’d bought a herd, I would have hired some men, but with only six cows and one steer, we will be fine for the fifteen-mile trip home.”
She watched her husband as he moved up to ride beside Summer and Billy. He cut a fine figure as he sat tall and proud, looking as if he belonged in the saddle. In truth, he probably belonged more in the saddle than he did behind a pulpit. Josiah was definitely a man of faith, but she sensed a wildness in him that no matter how finely dressed he was or how cultured he talked, would always make him a part of the natural world around him. She loved him all the more for it.
He turned and caught her gaze, his eyes bright with laughter, causing her heart to pound in her chest like a drumbeat. For the first time, she realized that she loved this man beyond all thought and reason. He made her a better person. Growing up without a family had always bothered her, but with Josiah by her side, it no longer mattered.
She gave him a quick wave as the wagon rolled down the hill behind them. Now, though, she had to figure out if he loved her back. She knew he cared for her. It was in everything he did and said, but that wasn’t love. She wanted him to love her. Their relationship was still new, and simply because she had fallen in love with him didn’t mean he’d had the time to do the same with her.
As she watched Mr. Calyer’s men separate the cows, she pondered over what she knew about men, which in truth was limited. She hadn’t gotten out much. Her life had consisted of church and teaching. She had attended a few church socials and loved walking through Central Park and the city zoo; however, none of these afforded her much knowledge regarding men.
What little she did know about the differences between men and women came from the small bakery one street over from the orphanage. Mia smiled as she recalled the older Italian couple. Annetta Abbattini made the most delicious sweet breads. Her husband, Franco, doted on his wife and did all sorts of sweet things for her: singing to her, dancing with her through the store, and bringing her flowers. In turn, the wife would lecture him about all the small jobs he hadn’t done because his head was in the clouds.
One morning, the husband wasn’t in the store with her. When Mia asked where he was, the woman’s eyes filled with tears and she said he was very sick. While the older woman put together her order, Mia asked why she always seemed so irritated with her husband. Annetta handed her a box of sweet rolls and explained it was so he would feel needed. She was afraid that if he ever felt as if she no longer needed him, with his advancing years, he might get tired of living, and she didn’t want to live life without him.
Mia smiled, feeling as if she’d just discovered, at least, part of the secret. Like the Abbattini’s, who were happily fussing at one another the morning she left New York City, she would make certain Josiah felt needed. And in time, she would earn his love.
The return trip was almost as uneventful as the trip to the Calyer ranch. The only bit of excitement was when the steer decided he wanted to go down a side trail instead of the road back to Eufaula. After a little prodding and running him down, Josiah managed to tire him out and get him back with the cows, who thankfully stayed by the wagon, munching on the bunch of grass the cowhands had thrown in the back to keep them focused.
The lazy sway of the wagon lulled Mia to completely relax. Her eyes refused to stay open and her head slowly tilted forward. The constant wood creaking along with the occasional calls of birds flying overhead were the only sounds she heard until Summer’s horse plodded up beside her.
“Mia?”
