Texas Rain

CHAPTER 18

As he drove the wagon toward Austin, Travis tried to think of the test he would take when he reached the capital, but his thoughts were full of the fairy. He relived every word they'd said to each other a hundred times. He thought of the way she'd felt, the way she kissed him, the way she jumped into his arms that first meeting as if she were his.

He remembered her letters, realizing he no longer had to look at them because he knew every word. She'd talked of her dream of starting a school someday, and she'd talked of how she thought of him, but she never talked about herself.

He spent hours thinking of what he'd say to her when they met. Assuming she was there and hadn't moved on. For all he knew she'd borrowed someone else's horse and ridden farther south. Texas was big enough that she could disappear, and he'd never see her again.

No, he corrected, they would meet again. She'd been in Austin when she'd written the last letter, and if she was there, he'd find her. Austin couldn't have more than a thousand people. Over two hundred of those were slaves, then well over half of the others would be men. Eliminating children, that left only a few hundred women to sort through to find a woman whose name started with R. She would be there and he would find her even if he had to stand on the street corners and stare at every person who walked by. He'd seen her real hair only once, but he remembered the sunny color. Of course she could have that hidden behind a bonnet, or be dressed like a boy again. For all he knew she had other wigs in a rainbow of colors.

But if he could touch every woman, he felt sure he'd know the feel of her.

He laughed. If he tried that method of identification, he'd be arrested.

Travis groaned. If he didn't stop thinking about her, he'd need to stop off at the new asylum being built and check himself in. The woman who signed her letters with an R. was driving him crazy. If he'd heard one of the younger Rangers going on about a woman so, he'd be tempted to shoot first and apologize later.

Sage leaned from the back of the wagon, where she and Duck had been sleeping on one of the buffalo hides. "You want me to take the reins for a while? I don't mind. Is your leg bothering you greatly?"

"No," Travis answered the last question first. His leg ached, but that wasn't his real problem. He was an idiot, driving to Austin, when he should be home healing, to look for a woman when he didn't even know her name.

He smiled back at his sister. "I'll handle the team a while longer."

Sage settled back down beside Duck. The journey to Austin hadn't proven near as exciting for her as she'd hoped, but Sage, as she always did, made the best of it. She'd drawn in her sketch book and mapped out roads in detail. Travis wasn't sure she did the drawings because she was bored, or because she planned to someday make the journey alone. He thought maybe she just wanted to make sure she could find her way back home. He'd felt like that the first time he'd left Whispering Mountain.

For all of them, Whispering Mountain was the center of the world. No matter how far he roamed, he always knew how to get home.

They'd be in Austin before dark, and Travis knew an old couple who rented rooms to state legislators when the Congress was in session. It was more expensive than he would have paid if he'd been alone, but Sage needed a safe place, and he guessed Dr. Bailey and his wife could use the extra money in the off season. The doc had retired from public practice a few years ago, but the Rangers still called him in when they needed his help.

Also, Duck wouldn't have to be around so many people in a home. They'd learned fast that the boy didn't like crowds. He'd hold to Travis, or disappear into Sage's skirt folds as soon as he saw a stranger. They still planned to take him out in public for short trips, but both agreed that it would be better if he had a place to sleep and eat where it was quiet.

Sage leaned against the back of the bench. "As soon as I get to Austin, I'm going to have a dress made in just my size. I'm tired of cutting every dress down that I buy at Elmo's, and the dresses Martha has made me over the years have all had the same pattern."

Travis hadn't noticed. "You can ask Mrs. Bailey if she knows someone. My guess is if there is a good dressmaker in Austin, she'll know about it. Some of the congressmen who stay with her bring their wives and I've heard she loves being their unofficial tour guide."

"That's a good plan. Of course, I'll want to go in every shop myself to make sure."

"Of course." He smiled. "How about I make a deal with you? Every morning after breakfast Duck and I will go with you to whatever shops you want. Or if you want to shop alone, we'll stay home. Then we'll eat lunch at one of the hotels or little cafes along Congress Avenue."

"Sounds good," Sage agreed.

"But," Travis added, "in the afternoon you stay at the Baileys with Duck while I check in with the Rangers. I also plan to visit with a judge I know who'll give me some advice. I don't want to sit for this test on the law without even knowing what to study. Don't expect me to run all over town with you. I'll need to look over that box of law books we're hauling." When she looked disappointed, he added, "That doesn't mean you and the boy can't go for walks, or ride around in Mrs. Bailey's buggy. I've heard she loves to go for a drive down to the Colorado River in the afternoons and watch the sun set."

"All right," Sage agreed. "The mornings are mine. The afternoons are yours. Half a day is better than no time."

She crawled up beside him on the bench. "How much farther?"

"We'll be there before dark."

Fear floated in her eyes.

"Don't worry," he added. "You're going to love Dr. and Mrs. Bailey. They've got this big house right off the main street. She has a garden of herbs like none you've ever seen. I've heard folks say that every woman who stays there goes away with clippings enough to start her own garden. She's president of the women's quilting group, too, and has women over several times a month for tea then an afternoon of quilting." He tried to remember what else he'd heard. "Oh, and every Sunday she goes to church."

Sage smiled. "Sounds like great fun," she lied.

"I know." He understood. The McMurrays had never taken the time to make many friends. The only reason he knew about the Baileys' place was because he'd had to ride guard for one of the senators last year and he'd heard the man's wife talking about the place. "Maybe you'll meet some people your age."

"Maybe," she echoed, then forgot her worries as the outskirts of Austin came into view. By the time they'd gone another two miles, she could see farms packed so close together they could see one another's rooflines.

Travis watched her excitement, realizing he'd never seen the beauty of the place before. Even in winter Sage constantly pointed out things he hadn't noticed. She pulled out her sketchpad and drew outlines of homes, saying she wanted to show Martha how things looked.

When they turned onto Congress Avenue, she laughed at everything she saw.

They ate at a real café with Duck sitting between them, then they drove to the Baileys' just before dark. Mrs. Bailey seemed delighted to see Sage and told Travis they could have the left wing of the house all to themselves. It had a private entrance and a sitting room between the bedrooms that he could use as a study. Travis didn't bother to ask the price; he knew it would be expensive and he also knew he could afford it.

Sage's bedroom was all soft and frills while his across the little sitting room was clean and serviceable. The next morning a light breakfast waited for them when Travis entered the middle room. Sage was already dressed and ready.

He grinned. "I don't think the stores are open this early."

"Mrs. Bailey gave me a list of where I might find everything I need. She even told me of three women opening a new shop and said they might be able to help me with a dress that fits me. She said they haven't even opened yet and all the richest people in Austin are visiting them and doing fittings in their parlor."

Travis ate and tried to listen. An hour later they were on their way. Within three shops they'd developed a pattern. Travis would walk his sister into the shop to make sure all was safe, then he'd take Duck outside and they'd sit on benches usually placed outside the shops. Duck liked to watch the horses and wagons rolling by. Travis watched the people.

He had his share of enemies around the state and didn't plan on running into any of them on this trip.

He and Duck stayed too long in one shop, and Sage insisted he buy a new suit and coat for himself. Travis complained as he tried on the suit, but drew the line at new shoes. He'd wear the dark clothes he thought made him look like a preacher, but he'd keep his boots.

When Sage had all Travis could carry, they had tea at one of the hotels and walked back to the Baileys'. Duck curled up on top of the buffalo hide in the sitting room and fell asleep.

Travis covered him with a quilt. "He didn't sleep well on the cot in my room last night. I think I'll move it in here for me and let him sleep right where he is now for tonight. He likes watching the fire, and I think he missed being close to it last night."

"I'll keep a close eye on him."

After moving the last of the boxes into her room, Travis reached for his hat. "You'll be all right here alone?"

She yawned. "I'll be fine. I might take a nap. Shopping is harder work than I thought it would be." She smiled at him. "This morning shopping/afternoon resting plan might be a good one. Duck and I will probably sleep the afternoon away."

He grinned, knowing the minute she knew he was gone she'd be in her room opening every box he'd brought in and examining what she'd bought. "I should be back by dinner."

Sage forced herself up to walk him to the side door. "We'll be here." She'd pulled the pins from her hair and was already braiding it.

Travis grabbed his cane and left. He knew the streets of Austin well and planned to cover as much ground as possible before dark.

An hour later the pain in his leg forced him to stop. He crossed into a saloon, took a chair by the window, and watched people passing as he sipped on a beer. In truth, he didn't like alcohol of any kind. He'd seen it make cowards brave and fools take their own advice, but he had to do something in the saloon if he planned to occupy a chair.

One of the girls came over and asked him if he wanted company. When he said no, she drifted to the next table, where the men seemed happy to have her join them.

When he'd sat as long as he thought he could without ordering another beer, or attracting attention, he moved on. The next time he stopped to rest, he picked a café and ordered pie and coffee. The coffee was weak, but the pie excellent.

He circled by Judge Gates's office and left a note with his secretary, then continued strolling the streets. All kinds of people passed him. Men in fancy suits who spoke with northern accents, laborers carrying supplies from one building location to another, drunks and gamblers.

At dusk he walked back to the Baileys', telling himself it would have been too much to hope for to find his fairy woman the first day. He and Sage had dinner with the doctor and his wife, then Sage turned in and Travis pulled out the books on law that he'd brought all the way from Whispering Mountain. About nine Mrs. Bailey's housekeeper brought him tea. Travis thanked her and left it warming by the fire.

The smell reminded him of the dream he'd had on the mountain. He closed his book and stared at the fire, thinking somewhere in this busy town his fairy woman might be thinking of him. She'd said in her letter that his nearness made her heart race. He smiled. The need to hold her was almost a physical ache deep in his muscles. He'd find her, and when he did, he promised himself he'd make her heart race once more.

The next day Sage announced she was dragging him to a boardinghouse where three sisters had agreed to see her about making her dresses. As they walked she explained that the sisters were supposed to be excellent and Mrs. Bailey said that in six months women ordering their dresses might have to wait a year to get them.

Travis was not impressed, but he managed to nod now and then.

When they got to a boardinghouse called the Askew House, Travis felt ill at ease. The place was obviously for women; even the drawing room chair didn't fit him. Sage had visited the afternoon before with Mrs. Bailey, so she now talked to the sisters and the landlord as an old friend and they catered to her like she was a princess.

He stretched his hand out to Duck, planning to wait for Sage on the porch, but Duck backed closer to Sage and the plate of cookies the sisters had offered them.

Travis knew he'd lost his porch partner. "I'll be waiting." He nodded toward the three homeliest old maids he'd ever seen and backed out of the room. He'd just walked into the dark foyer when he heard footsteps running down the stairs. Out of habit, he leaned into the shadows and waited for whoever seemed in such a hurry to pass.

A woman dressed in dark green ran down the stairs, paused long enough to slip on her shoes and grab her coat from a peg, then ran for the door.

Mrs. Vivian, the landlady, opened the door for the woman in such a hurry. "Running late today, Rainey?" she said in a clipped tone.

"Yes, Mrs. Vivian, but I'll be home before you lock the door. I may miss supper tonight, however."

The woman turned for an instant as she waved goodbye, and Travis caught a glimpse of blond curls. He gripped the handle of his cane. Every instinct told him to run after her, but he knew he'd never catch her on foot. He hadn't had time to see her face. He couldn't be sure it was even his fairy woman. Maybe he just wanted it to be. Finding her couldn't be so easy.

With measured calmness, he stepped into the foyer light as Mrs. Vivian closed the door.

"Oh, Ranger McMurray, I didn't see you standing there." The owner's face softened slightly. "Your sister was just telling me that you were wounded in a battle with outlaws."

He leaned on his cane. "That was months ago; I'm almost fully recovered." He reached for his hat, then turned back to the landlady as if just thinking of something. "I'm looking for a young woman of small build with blond hair who came to Austin about the time I was hurt."

Mrs. Vivian's gaze glanced to the door where Rainey had just gone. "Is she wanted for a crime? Did she have something to do with your being shot? Oh, don't tell me she's an outlaw."

He smiled and lied. "No. I was hoping she knows something about who the boy with my sister belongs to. He was rescued the same day I was wounded."

"Oh." Mrs. Vivian seemed disappointed. "Well, I have a young lady who fits that description. In fact, she just ran past you. Only she couldn't be the one. She came from Galveston. Her family moved from New Orleans, I think, and I'm sorry to say they all died onboard ship. She was left alone to make her way in Texas. She's a school teacher by occupation, I believe."

Travis smiled. Like most people talking to a Ranger, the landlord gave out far too much information. "What did you say her name was?"

"Rainey Adams. But she's not the one you're looking for. She doesn't know anyone at all in Texas. In all the weeks she's been here, she's never once had a guest in the drawing room, and I hold it open and ready for just that purpose." Mrs. Vivian raised her eyebrows. "If she knew anyone, she wouldn't be staying here, I'm afraid. Money worries, you know. She rents my least expensive room on the third floor."

"Thank you, ma'am." He moved toward the door. "I'll be back for my sister in an hour."

Mrs. Vivian held the door open. "I'll tell her."

Travis walked slowly down the steps. "Rainey," he mumbled to himself. "I should have known it would be something unusual."

He moved around the house to the alley. There he saw the last bit of proof. A third-story window overlooking the alley lined on the opposite side by saloons.

He'd found his fairy woman.

By six that evening he was back at the Askew House. He thought of waiting for Rainey on the porch, but that might draw too much attention. The landlord seemed a nosy old woman, and he didn't want to do anything to cause suspicion. With his luck his little thieving fairy was doing something illegal, and the last thing she needed was people watching her too closely.

So he waited at the end of the street, where he had a clear view from two directions. His plan was that if he saw her coming, he'd fall into step with her. Maybe, if she grew frightened, he'd hold her arm until he had time to calm her. For if she ran he'd have no hope of catching her.

Like she'd told him, what she did best was run.

Travis moved to the corner where he could lean against the building and take some of the weight off his leg. He watched the sun set below a half-finished building that he'd been told would be a church. It was getting late and he guessed his fairy had missed her supper. Maybe he'd offer to take her to one of the cafes to eat. He'd like having time to look at her, talk to her. Then he'd walk her home and explain to Mrs. Vivian why she was out late. Surely Rainey would be in no trouble if she were with him.

Once they became friends, Travis decided it would be fun to continue to write her. He came to Austin enough so that they could see each other from time to time. He'd keep up with what she was doing and make sure she was staying out of trouble. She might not be the kind of woman who would ever invite him to her room, but he planned to make her heart race a few times as they strolled in the shadows.

Travis grinned. It wasn't as if he'd have to steal a kiss; she'd already given him a few without him even asking. He'd never taken much time to notice how it worked between men and women other than barmaids, but there must be something between buying a woman by the hour and marriage. Whatever it was, he planned to discover it with Rainey.

The evening turned dark with streetlights not close enough together to offer good light. Travis's eyes adjusted to the night. He missed little as he watched from the corner of the alley.

People moved faster now. There was no need to stroll. He noticed mostly men walking, a few delivery men running the last of their rounds, a few women of the evening talking loudly as they crossed from one end of town to the other.

If his sight hadn't been perfected by years of scouting, he might have missed the little woman in navy blue moving in the shadows. The hood of her cape was up, but a curl at her forehead caught the glint of the streetlight for a moment before she hurried farther into the shadows.

Travis didn't move. She was headed right toward him. For her to remain unseen, she'd have to pass within a few feet of him. He sensed she was frightened, for she was almost running.

Once he introduced himself, he'd scold her for being out so late. Didn't she know how dangerous the streets could be? This one looked calm enough with mostly shops and offices, but one street over the town turned ugly.

She moved closer, keeping out of the light. Her cape appeared old and not heavy enough for the evening air. She had her arms crossed over her with her hands tucked away. He knew without seeing that she wasn't wearing gloves.

There was no time to address her. She'd jump and scatter like a rabbit the moment she knew a man was near.

Without thought, Travis waited a heartbeat longer, then as she passed, swung out one powerful arm. He swept her off her feet and into the blackness of the alley before she had time to scream.