Jodi Thomas - Give Me A Texan

2008

Fort Worth, Fall, 1889

Hank Harris squared his shoulders, forcing himself not to slump as he passed through the doorway of the Tucker dugout. He stepped into the one-room home with dread settling around his heart like sand.

At six-foot-six he knew he was destined to hit his head any time he ventured indoors. Seemed like houses all got too short about the time he started growing whiskers. Now, at thirty-one, hed spent half his life watching out for low rafters.

He caught himself wishing that was all he had to watch out for tonight.

Welcome, Mr. Harris! a female bellowed as if he wasnt standing within reach of her. Trust you made the five miles from Fort Worth without any problem. That north wind has sure been howling all day. The woman winked boldly. Ill bet you think its calling you home to that mound of dust folks call Amarillo.

Hank removed his hat and nodded, not wanting to encourage conversation. Dolly Tuckers shrill voice could strike kindling in a dry stove. He only prayed that her tone wasnt hereditary.

He couldnt stop the smile that wrinkled his normally hard mouth. Maybe he should be praying for himself. After all, he was the one fool enough to agree to meet Dollys little sister. Most folks would say he had no right to be criticizing others. He wasnt the kind of man anyone would mistake as good looking and, with the price of cattle dropping, any wealth he had lay far in the future.

Im a hard worker though, he reminded himself. And honest. If I ever get a wife, Ill never mistreat her. That should be worth something in this world.

Youre looking all cleaned and pressed, Dolly yelled as she patted his arm. You must have stopped at the creek. She waddled around him like a round little toy. Your hair still looks wet.

Hank didnt know how to answer. He had no intention of discussing his bathing habits with the woman. In truth, he could never remember discussing anything but the weather with the fairer sex.

When hed seen Dollys husband, Charlie Tucker, at the stockyard in Fort Worth a few hours ago, it had seemed simple. Dollys sister was visiting from Chicago and Charlie said theyd like him to meet her. He had even insisted that Hank stop by around suppertime.

Hank knew what that meant. They were introducing her to all the single men in West Texas. Hed played the game before a few times in the ten years hed been ranching. He was respectable enough for a brother-in-law to introduce. He owned his own spread, was single, didnt drink to excess. But Hank also guessed that if Charlie was rounding up prospects, he might as well take his place at the back of the line.

On the bright side, hed get a home-cooked meal for his trouble and Hank figured that made the ride out worthwhile.

Would you like some coffee, Mr. Harris? Dolly didnt give him time to answer before shouting, Charlie Ray, pour him a cup while I go to the barn and find Agnes. Its almost dark. She should be able to guess its about time for supper. The world cant always run on her schedule.

Hank swallowed hard. Agnes was close to the ugliest name hed ever heard. That must be why they keep her in the barn. Either that or the girl talked like her sister and poor Charlie would be deaf if he heard the voice coming from two directions at once.

Another thought crossed his mind. What if Agnes wasnt bright enough to know the time of day? Some men in this part of the country werent too particular, but knowing the time seemed a necessary skill.

Dollys husband moved to the iron stove and burned his hand grabbing the pot. Hank fought down a laugh. What was it about some men? They seem to live perfectly well by themselves for years. Then they get married and act like theyve never been near a stove.

I appreciate you stopping by, Charlie mumbled as he finally managed to pour a cup.

Hank nodded, knowing he was just doing a favor for a friend. Men like Hank lived alone. No woman would have wanted to start out with nothing like hed had to and, by the time he could afford more than a three-room house, hed be too old and hardened for a woman to be interested.

Before Hanks coffee cooled enough to drink, someone tapped at the door.

Hank stood ready to offer his hand as more guests arrived. He wasnt surprised to see the young banker most of the cattlemen used while they were in Fort Worth. William J. Randell always seemed fair and wore clothes that looked like he must have ordered them from somewhere up north without bothering to take his measurements. He had a habit of playing with his watch fob when he was nervous, which would have made him easy pickings at a poker table. His hair curled in thin waves over his head making him look older than Hank guessed him to be.

The man behind Randell looked almost the same age, only Hank had never seen him before. He was stockier and stood with his feet wide apart as if expecting a fight to break out as he entered the dugout.

Potter, the stranger said as he shook hands without waiting for Charlie to introduce him. Potter Stockton at your service. His smile never reached his dark eyes.

Hank felt like counting his fingers to make sure they were all still there when the handshake ended. Something about Stockton didnt seem right. He was too friendly, too eager, too forward for a man not running for office. Hank found himself thinking a little less of the banker for keeping company with Potter.

Charlie Tucker didnt seem to notice. He offered the two men a seat and grinned. Before he could pour more coffee, Dolly returned alone from the barn. Her little marble blue eyes sparkled as she counted the bachelors at her kitchen table.

Within minutes, Hank was forgotten, which suited him fine. Dolly made over first the banker, then Potter Stockton, who explained he worked for the railroad. As Dolly served the food and insisted they eat, she kept the questions coming in rapid fire.

William J. Randell told all about the big family he came from in Ohio and Potter Stockton said he had relatives in Tennessee who were related to the royals in Europe. Hank kept quiet. As far as he knew he had no living relative. His mother left them when hed been three and his father worked their small farm around Tyler, Texas, until he died before Hank turned twenty. The sale of that farm had given Hank his start near Amarillo.

They were halfway through the meal before Charlie got a word in to ask about his sister-in-law Agnes.

Shell be along, Dolly scolded her husband as if no one would have remembered the reason theyd all been asked to dinner if Charlie hadnt mentioned it. Well be eating at midnight if we wait on her.

Hank pushed food back and forth on his plate, feeling like the walls were closing in around him. Hed always hated dugouts. Everyone said they were warm and protected from the weather since they were built half into the ground, but he felt like he was half buried in them. Even through the cooking odors, he could smell damp earth.

When he stood, mumbling something about taking care of his horse, no one in the room noticed him leave. He felt cheated. Though he had no hope of finding a bride, he had thought Dolly could cook. He would have had a better meal at the caf by the train station.

Once outside, he stepped into the blackness between the two small windows and took a deep breath, wishing he could ride back to town. Waiting on the platform for the midnight train north would be better than going back inside. But if he just left, it would be an insult to both Charlie and the invisible Agnes. There was an unwritten law that said the girl, no matter how homely or dumb, had the right to turn away any man who came calling.