“No, he left town the day he finished school to join the Texas Rangers, but Jacob said he writes to her every time he writes to the family.”
“Poor Zeke,” Louisa responded. “It really did a number on him being the youngest of the crew. He never got a chance to bond with their mother, though I suppose Micah was quite small when she passed as well.”
“He was,” Callie agreed. “There’s also likely some misplaced guilt there on Zeke’s part. She died of childbed fever after he was born, and from what Jacob has told me, his labor was long and difficult. Of course, it wasn’t Zeke’s fault in the slightest, but with the upbringing they had it wouldn’t surprise me if Truett Sutton actively blamed his youngest son for his wife’s death.”
Evelyn moved by again, and Callie flagged her down. “Evelyn, have you heard from Zeke lately, by any chance?”
The woman’s eyes widened, their color a remarkable shade of green. “No, why? Has something happened?” Her voice edged toward panic, but Callie quickly shook her head.
“Oh, no, I’m sorry. The Suttons haven’t gotten a letter from him in a while, so I thought you might’ve heard something. I’m sure he’s fine - just busy with work.”
“They’d have informed the Suttons if something was amiss,” Louisa assured her.
“Yes, I…I haven’t had a letter since the summer, but I’ll let you know if I do.” The previously loquacious and joyful woman now only looked sad, a little anxiety wafting from her as well. “Is there anything else I can get you ladies?”
“No,” Callie said with a smile. “I think we’ll pay our tab. As always, thank you for such a delicious meal.”
Chapter Eleven
“Howdy, there, ladies,” Micah said as he tipped his hat to Ellie, Callie, and Louisa on the front porch of Rosie’s after lunch. He’d brought Louisa and Ellie into town, but Louisa planned to stay for a few more hours to meet with Florence regarding the Founder’s Day Festival. “Lunch hit the spot?”
“It sure did,” Louisa exclaimed. “I don’t think I’ve ever had such delicious chocolate pie. The time got away from us, and Florence is expecting me. Jacob said he’d take me home after he finishes up at the clinic, so you two are welcome to head back to the ranch.” She winked at Ellie. “We’ve had quite the meeting of the minds.”
Curious, but preferring to talk to Ellie about their discussion directly, Micah chuckled. “I’m sure you’ve solved all the world’s problems. Callie, I’ll see you Sunday.”
The slightly less gregarious Callie gave him a softer smile. “I’ll see you then.” She pulled Ellie into a hug and whispered something into her ear. “You two travel safe.”
As the other two women split off towards their respective destinations, Micah’s attention was free to focus on Ellie. She looked beautiful, with her soft green dress adorned with cream colored flowers complementing her blonde curls. She’d pinned them back today, but a few broke free. “Your chariot awaits, m’lady.”
Ellie giggled, but it was distracted as she took his hand and allowed him to help her up into the wagon. As soon as he took his seat, he pulled the brake and began the trek home. “All right, put me out of my misery. What did you and the ladies discuss which excited Louisa so much?”
She hesitated, and he could see her warring with herself. One day, he vowed, he’d have proven himself so trustworthy she wouldn’t even have to question it. Until then, he’d continue being someone she could count on. “I mentioned to the girls I’ve been feeling a little…purposeless recently.”
Micah nodded, sensing his input wasn’t necessary yet, and Ellie continued. “I’ve enjoyed helping Louisa with the chores and the children some, but you men do so much of the house chores I find myself often twiddling my thumbs and looking for a way to be useful.”
“You’re not comfortable with that,” Micah surmised. He’d be fine if she wanted to sit on the porch and drink tea, as he had plenty to support them, but he respected that she wasn’t interested in that type of life. It would drive him batty with boredom, a feeling he hated more than most others.
She settled back into her seat as they passed the last of the town’s businesses, at least more comfortable for the moment. “I’m not. I was never allowed to contribute in any meaningful way in Grandfather’s house, and I want to feel useful and productive for once in my life. I want my presence to ease a burden or add to the joy of others rather than simply draining resources.”
Micah’s teeth clenched at the way her grandfather had obviously always made her feel, but he couldn’t exactly direct anger at a dead man, at least not in any helpful way. “You’re not draining resources. I want to hear your idea. I want you to feel free to pursue anything you want to pursue, but you being on the ranch brings joy in a way I don’t know if you’ll ever understand.”
Unable to resist a moment longer, Micah pulled horses to the side of the trail to a stop, set the brake on the wagon, and turned to Ellie. “You’re valuable here, just for being you. I respect that you want to contribute, but that’s not why you’ll always have a place on the Sutton ranch.” Lifting his hand, he cupped her cheek and tried to tame the lion roaring in his heart when she pressed her face more soundly into his hand. Her eyes shut for a moment before she looked up at him.
“Thank you,” she whispered. They stared at each other for a moment before Micah pressed a soft kiss to her forehead and returned his hands to the reins. He set the team moving again, and Ellie continued. “I’ve always loved painting and drawing, but once my tutor finished with my schooling, Grandfather didn’t want to waste money on the supplies.”
Once again, Micah’s anger at a dead man welled up within him, but he pushed it down. “You’d like to pick it up again? What kind of supplies would you need?”
“Oh, not much for the moment. I can fashion an easel out of scrap wood around the ranch, and I’ve always drawn and painted on paper rather than canvas. I find it more forgiving. I’d need some paints, pencils, and brushes - though I could probably make my own brushes from horse hair if you guys groom the horses anytime soon.”
She wouldn’t be making her own brushes if he had anything to say about it, already making a mental list of what to get at the general store next time he went into town. Anything they didn’t have, he’d have them order it. “That sounds like a great thing topursue. Would you prefer to pick out your supplies, or could I buy them for you when I go into town next week?”
Her eyes widened, and he hoped he hadn’t overstepped. “Oh, I didn’t mean for you to buy it all for me. Once my trust is released, I could-”
For the first time, Micah cut her off. “Ellie, I’ve told you, your money makes absolutely no difference to me. As far as I’m concerned, it doesn’t exist. If my wife wants to paint, I’ll make sure she has everything she needs to do it. I’m curious though, are you planning to sell your paintings?”
As shocked as she’d looked a moment before, she recovered quickly. “Louisa says there are a number of magazines back East publishing art and stories from the West. They’ll purchase them and share them with their audiences in the cities interested in stories from the wilds of the West.”
Micah grinned, a little amused that anyone back East would romanticize the cow pastures and hard work of the West, but he understood it. There was nowhere else he’d rather be than the wide open spaces of Texas and more specifically on the Sutton ranch. “I can’t wait to see your paintings, and I’ll help you do anything I can to find someone to publish them for you.”
