( After 18 Chapters and near one hundred fifty thousand words, this will end my efforts concerning Winding Creek. Again, I cannot Thank those enough that have voted, commented and shared my tale. )
Sally Tart was special dressed to meet Lucas and Anna Ruth as she waited for their return at the rail station. She mightened be as pleased to see Tiffany Ann, her often wondering what she might have been up to these past three weeks. There'd been no problems here in town, and she was more than pleased about that.
She read the telegram again, though she knew it by heart.
'Arriving the 14th. Will need L n L carriage.
Regards.'
She knew that meant Lucas was going directly to the ranch and business would wait. She'd taken note of the happenings at the Livery that morning. The L n L carriage shined; Patch n Cherry, both well-groomed were wandering around the front corral and no less than two buck boards stood at the ready.
Something was afoot; better to think about Anna Ruth.
She'd had their room painted sky blue and all the trim n doors in bright white two weeks ago to let the paint smells to be sent away through the open windows n sometimes breeze. New drapes and matching bedspread with fresh white lace curtains made the room theirs.
She'd missed Anna Ruth even more than she thought she might and set the Diamond n hotel right so she could spend her first evening alone with her. She knew Lucas would let her know when he wanted to talk business... Maybe a little pleased that he was going straight to the ranch. Said he had faith in her...
*
Lucas sat in his high-backed leather chair with Sarah Kate next to him in another as their railroad car moved closer to Winding Creek. He enjoyed her questions and like on their riverboat travel; he took whatever time were needed to explain his answers. And the young girl had many. She'd never seen a steam engine up close where bare-chested, smoke-stained men fed fuel into the boilers or the inside of a pilot house on a river boat. The captain and other men spoke to Mr. Luke with the same kind of respect most paid to her grandfather.
They'd grown closer, Sarah Kate noting everything her new-found father did to insure her mother's comfort and care. He even carried her cradled in his arms when they arrived at the Royal River and then up the many stairs to their cabins on the river boat. They often sat together high on the front of the Royals promenade deck, a quilt over her mother's legs and shared tales of Luke's time when he worked for her grandfather, the things they saw and what they were going to see.
She liked this new man in her life. He never raised his voice and knew when her mother needed rest back in their cabin n sometimes reading both of them to sleep. He always answered when she called him Mr. Luke and slipped her into bed when she fell sleep one late evening.
She and her mother had their own cabin, Mr. Luke his and Anna hers. Anna Ruth was traveling with them to help with her mother. She was very pretty and never left her mother's side when she and Mr. Luke would explore the smaller towns along the way or walk around the white paddle wheeled riverboat. They all ate together in Mr. Lukes room and sometimes in the main dining room.
It was after their last dinner on the Royal River that Sarah, cuddled in her mother's arms looked up to her as Lucas read to them. Her mother soft smiled and nodded yes to her unspoken question.
"M-Mr. Luke."
The wide shouldered man set his leather-bound copy of Moby Dick in his lap, his eyes answering his daughter. She peeked up again at her mother and then met the matching green eyes.
"Can I call you Papa."...
*
Mother and daughter watched as Lucas Blake met quickly with several men, one at a time on the wooden loading platform after they arrived in Winding Creek. As a red wheeled black carriage neared their railcar, Lucas returned to them, helping her mother first into the carriage and then covering her legs. When he settled his daughter next to her mother, a plain looking man in a plaid shirt moved close. He removed a near new hat, holding it in his hand's, center of his chest.
"This is Tom Poe. He'll be handling the carriage as soon as Anna Ruth says her hellos and joins you. Tom, this is Mrs. Taylor and my daughter Sarah Kate."
Kaitlyn noticed the flicker in the 'cowboys' eyes before he soft smiled at her.
"Very pleased Mrs. Taylor. I hope you had a good trip."...
Then extended his hand to their daughter as his smile widened.
"I'm very pleased to meet you, Miss Sarah."
"The pleasure is ours Mr. Poe."
Lucas winked at Tom.
"You hold up about a half mile out. I'll be right behind."
When Sarah went to speak, her mother's gloved finger swooshed her nose. Sarah watched quietly as her new-found father spoke with a very well-dressed, red headed woman and Anna Ruth. When Anna came to the carriage, Sarah noticed the plaid shirts twisted, work hardened hands as he helped her into the carriage. Moving onto the seat next to Anna, he gathered the reins n called out.
"Hep."
The carriage moved forward as Anna looked back at the mother n daughter on the second seat.
"Lucas will be right behind with a special surprise for you Sarah Kate. He wanted us on our way as he finished up some business. It's a bit of a ride to the ranch; Tom here is the top hand at the L n L."
It didn't take long for the town to pass and the flat land to sprawl out under a light, very blue sky. Sarah was pleased as her mother slowly took a deep breath in the near summers warm, dry air.
"It's pretty out here Mama."
"Y-yes, it is."
"Are you feeling any better."
Her mother covered her daughter's hand.
"It will take a little time Sarah Kate."
It wasn't long when they both turned to look back at the sound of coming horses. Lucas slowed as he sided the carriage, riding Patch and leading Cherry. Tom Poe eased the carriage to a stop to loop the reins over n then through the decorative iron railing on its front. After he stepped down, he offered his hand to Sarah.
"I think your surprise jist got here Miss Sarah."
Both, Katlyn n Sarah saw the change in Lucas Blake as he stepped down from Patch, patting the horses jaw as its head bobbed up and down when he did. He somehow looked bigger as he handed Tom the black animals reins. His eyes had narrowed a bit but changed into a soft warm green. The only time either one had seen his eyes and soft smile like that was when Sarah asked to call him Papa.
He led the white n red speckled horse to where Sara was standing. Sarah took note of its bright pink eyes. Her father handed the horse's reins to the wide-eyed girl.
"This is Cherry. She's the gentlest horse that can be found. She'll be yours until you and Miss Linda pick out one of your own."
Lucas ran his hand over Sara's red hair as she stared up at him.
"Linda Jean knows more about horses that anyone with-in a thousand miles Sarah Kate. I want you to listen close when she tells you things. I know you'll be the best of friends."
Sarah just kept looking between her new-found father and the pink-eyed horse as it lowered her head.
"Just hold her halter n stroke her neck."
A small, long fingered hand moved over Cherry's neck. Lucas looked to Tom Poe. "You'll be gentle with your travel. Me n mine will walk a bit and then catch up with you before you hit the ranch."...
-0-
Tiffany Ann had watched through the slightly parted curtains of the glass windowed clarence as Lucas gathered a green dressed woman into his arms and carry her onto the Royal River. Anna Ruth was right behind holding the hand of the same color green dressed girl with her red hair pulled back and tied with a matching bow.
They'd said their goodbyes the night before, both Tiffany n Ruth teary eyed and Lucas a bit stand offish.
Tiffany knew Lucas didn't approve of her staying. Didn't like the fact of her leaving their children. But true to his word, he wouldn't stand in her way. She hadn't met his new-found daughter or the woman that gave her birth.
"You have a last fitting before the party this evening Love."
