A Cowboy for Christmas Page 5

“Maybe you should ask your aunt about that.” Dan wondered what had really gone on after seeing Matilda’s reaction.

  “Aunt Matilda?” Penny turned to look at her, her eyes wide and questioning.

  “What, dear?” she responded nervously.

  “Is he right? Do you know anything about this?”

  “Well—”

  “Well, what?” Penny pressed her for the truth.

  Matilda met her gaze, feeling decidedly guilty over the deception her mother had started and she had continued. “Your mother always thought it best to keep your contact with your father to a minimum. She wanted you to be happy here, so she made it a point to destroy most of the correspondence he sent you, and, though he wasn’t writing as often, I did continue her practice after she passed away.”

  Chapter Five

  Penny was absolutely taken aback by the discovery. She stared at her aunt in shock. “But why? Why would Mother do that? She knew how much I loved my father.”

  “That’s precisely why she did it,” Matilda countered a bit harshly. “She didn’t want you to go back to the ranch. She wanted to keep you in the city with her, where she knew you would be safe.”

  Penny couldn’t help it. She sank down on the sofa and said nothing for a long moment as she thought about what her mother and her aunt had done. She wanted to cry, but she knew it was pointless. Raw, painful emotions churned within her, and she decided to draw upon those very emotions for the strength she needed to get through this hard time. Finally, she lifted her head to look at her aunt. “I’ll be leaving for Texas with Mr. Roland as soon as he can make the arrangements.”

  “But, Penny—” Matilda wanted to convince her not to go.

  The Anderson side of Penny came back to life within her as she stood up to face her aunt. “I’m going, Aunt Matilda. I will need your help to find an appropriate chaperone for the trip,” she said, for she knew her aunt would never consider leaving the city to travel with her.

  “It’ll take us two to three weeks to get back, depending on connections,” Dan noted. “I checked the schedule when I arrived in town earlier today, and there is a train leaving late tomorrow afternoon.”

  “If we can arrange for my chaperone in time, we’ll be on that train, Mr. Roland. Where are you staying?” she asked.

  “I have a room at the Planter’s House Hotel.”

  “Fine. I’ll send word to you in the morning to let you know how arrangements are progressing. I plan to do everything I can to make sure we leave tomorrow.”

  “I’ll wait until I get your message to purchase the tickets.” He was relieved she had agreed to come along without a fight, but he also knew she had been hurt by the deception she’d discovered in her life.

  “Thank you, Mr. Roland,” Penny said.

  “I’ll be waiting to hear from you in the morning, Miss Anderson.” He tipped his hat to them. “Good night, ladies.”

  Dan left them alone in the parlor to let himself out. He wasn’t surprised to find the doorman standing by the front door, but he was surprised when he opened the door for him.

  “Good night, sir,” the servant said.

  “Good night.” Dan walked outside to see the driver and carriage still waiting for him.

  “Did you get your business all taken care of?” the driver asked.

  “Yes. We can go back to the hotel now.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  Dan was quiet as they started back to the Planter’s House. Things had worked out so far, but they still had a long way to go. He had to get Penny safely back to the ranch to Jack. He couldn’t help feeling a little sorry for the girl. With the way her mother and her aunt had deceived her, she’d never had any idea just how much her father loved her and had been missing her. Dan was glad that she would get the chance to be with him again. Not everybody had that opportunity.

  Back inside in the parlor, Matilda faced her niece. “Penny, I—”

  “No, don’t say anything more,” Penny said, starting to leave the room, her father’s letter still in hand. “I’ll be ready to leave as soon as I find Amanda and tell her good-bye.”

  Matilda was ashamed by all that had transpired, and she relented. “I’ll have our carriage brought around.”

  Penny made her way back to the ballroom and stood in the main doorway looking for her friend. Amanda happened to see her first and came hurrying across the room to find out what was going on.

  “You’re back!” Amanda said, glad to see her, but worried because her friend looked so serious.

  “Not for long,” Penny told her. She led them to a quiet corner so they could talk.

  “What do you mean?” Amanda asked. “What did that man want with you?”

  “His name was Dan Roland and my father sent him here to find me and give me this letter.” She looked down at the missive she was still holding. “Amanda—” She lifted her sad gaze to her friend. “My father is very ill. He doesn’t have long to live, so I’m going back to Texas. I have to see him again before he dies.”

  “Oh, Penny—” Amanda hugged her, knowing how the news must have upset her. “Is there anything I can do for you?”

  “Just pray, Amanda. Mr. Roland was saying we have to hurry back, so I’ll probably be leaving tomorrow if I can arrange for a chaperone to travel with me quickly enough.”

  “I wish I could be your chaperone,” Amanda offered, knowing her friend was going to need all the moral support she could get, to get through the hard times ahead.

  “So do I,” Penny said.

  “Have you told Richard yet?”

  “No, I wanted to tell you first.”

  “Let’s go find him.”

  “All right, but then I’ll have to leave. I’ve got a lot to get done before tomorrow.”

  Richard was on the dance floor with one of the other young ladies, so they stayed where they were, waiting for the dance to end before approaching him.

  Meanwhile, in the corner where the older ladies were sitting, the gossip was quickly spreading. They had seen Penny return, but not Matilda or the cowboy.

  “What have you heard?” Louise Gallagher asked as she joined them.

  “Nothing yet,” Dwylah Carpenter replied. “I wonder where Matilda went with that cowboy. I got a good look at him, and he was real handsome.”

  “If you like cowboys,” one matron said, sneering.

  “I do,” Dwylah said without hesitation, “and you could probably use one in your life. He’d liven things up for you a bit!”

  “Oh!” The other woman was outraged by her remark. “I prefer true gentlemen.” She got up to move away.

  Dwylah and Louise shared an amused look.

  “She doesn’t know a good thing when she sees it,” Louise told her friend.

  “That’s fine with me. Then I won’t have to fight her for him,” she laughed. “I’ve read some dime novels. I know what heroes those cowboys are—always standing up and doing what’s right to save the day—and rescue the heroine. Do you think Matilda might have run off with him?”

  “I wouldn’t have blamed her.”

  “Dwylah—here comes Matilda now. She’ll tell us what this was all about,” Louise said, pointing toward the main door where their friend had just reentered the ballroom.

  “It’s about time. Our cowboy’s not with her, though. I wonder what she did with him?” she chuckled. “She should have brought him back in with her, so I could have claimed him for at least one dance.”

  They were laughing until Matilda got closer and they saw how dark and serious her expression was. Their mood sobered, for they knew whatever news she had wasn’t good.

  “I’m afraid Penny and I will have to be leaving soon,” Matilda began.

  “Why?” Dwylah asked. “The evening’s just getting started.”

  Matilda quickly told her two friends all that had happened. “She desperately wants to leave tomorrow and I can’t let her go until I’ve arranged for a chaperone to make the trip with her.”

  “Who
are you going to get at this late date?” Louise knew it wouldn’t be a simple thing to find someone willing and able to leave town on such short notice, especially to travel to some place as uncivilized as Texas.

  “I have no idea,” Matilda said wearily, sitting down with them to try to collect her thoughts.

  Dwylah’s eyes lit up. “I know who you can get to be her chaperone.”

  “Who?”

  “I’ll go with her.”

  “You?” Matilda was startled by Dwylah’s offer.

  “I’ve always wanted to see the Wild West, and this will be my chance. In fact, it might be my only chance, as old as I’m getting.” Dwylah was a widow with ample funds and a very comfortable lifestyle, but she’d always enjoyed a challenge.

  Louise was smiling. She knew what an adventurer her friend was. “Dwylah’s right, Matilda. She’s the perfect one to make the trip with Penny, and who knows, maybe she’ll find herself a cowboy while she’s out there.”

  Matilda couldn’t believe her friend really wanted to do this, but she knew Dwylah would be fantastic as the chaperone her niece needed. “Are you sure?”

  “Yes. I have nothing to keep me here. Penny needs my help, and I’m more than willing to do it.”

  “And you can be ready tomorrow?”

  “It won’t be easy to get packed that fast, but I’ll do it. When Penny is ready to leave, I’ll be with her. I’ll make sure she gets to Texas safely.”

  “I’ll pay for your ticket and all your travel expenses and whatever else you need for the trip. And, oh, I almost forgot to tell you, Dan Roland will be traveling with you,” Matilda informed her.

  “I was hoping you were going to say that.” Dwylah smiled in delight. “Now I know I’m going.”

  Louise couldn’t help smiling, too. If nothing else, Dwylah’s ability to make people laugh would no doubt help make the long trip seem less arduous for everyone. “I’ll miss you.”

  “Come with us,” she challenged.

  “No, you’re the adventurous one. You go and then come back and tell me all about it.”

  “I will,” she answered, a mischievous twinkle in her eyes.

  “Let’s go tell Penny,” Matilda said. “I’m sure she’ll be relieved.”

  Matilda and Dwylah went to seek Penny out and let her know everything had been arranged.

  Richard was a bit startled as he looked down at Penny. “There’s no other way for you to handle this?”

  “No. It’s important that I get to see my father again, and I didn’t want to leave without telling you good-bye.”

  Richard thought about taking her in his arms and kissing her, but this was hardly the place to be so bold, and, besides, Amanda was standing right there with them. “We’ll miss you, Penny.”

  “I’ll write Amanda regularly and let her know how things are going.”

  “Do you think you’ll be back by Christmas?” Amanda asked.

  She looked uncertain. “There’s no way to know what’s going to happen once I get there.”

  Penny didn’t get to say any more, for just then her aunt and her friend Dwylah sought them out.

  “Are you ready to leave, Penny?” Aunt Matilda asked, her manner reserved. She knew her niece was very angry and upset with her, and she would have to handle things between them very carefully from now on.

  “Yes, Aunt Matilda,” she replied. Then looking back at Richard, she said, “Good-bye, Richard.”

  “Good-bye, Penny.”

  Penny and Amanda went with the ladies as they made their way from the ballroom. They were all aware that they were being watched quite carefully by the other people in attendance, but they didn’t care.

  “I’ll thank Edwin and Lillian, and then we can go,” Matilda said. “Wait for me in the hall.”

  She saw their host and hostess standing nearby and went to speak with them and to tell them how everything had turned out. A short time later, Matilda came out into the hall where Penny, Amanda, and Dwylah were standing.

  “Did you tell her yet, Dwylah?” Matilda asked.

  “No,” the older woman answered.

  “Tell me what?” Penny looked between the two of them in confusion.

  “Your aunt and I have everything all figured out, so you’ll be able to leave tomorrow,” Dwylah explained.

  “I will?”

  “Yes. I’ve agreed to be your chaperone on the trip. I can be ready to leave for Texas as soon as you are.”

  Penny was stunned and thankful. She had so feared being delayed for days trying to find someone suitable to make the long journey with her.

  “Oh, Dwylah, thank you!” Impulsively, she hugged the older woman. “I’ll let Mr. Roland know first thing in the morning that we’ll be ready to travel whenever he is.”

  “We’d better go, dear. You have a lot of packing to do,” Matilda said. “Dwylah, we’ll send word to you as soon as we hear back from Mr. Roland, but plan on departing on an afternoon train.”

  “I will.”

  Matilda and Penny left the Chase mansion to head home.

  Penny knew she wouldn’t get much rest that night.

  Chapter Six

  As exhausted as he was, Dan had thought he would fall asleep right away. It had been weeks since he’d had a clean bed to sleep in, but he had too much on his mind to be able to completely relax and enjoy the comfort of the room. His thoughts were racing as he tried to imagine how long it would take Penny and her aunt to hire a chaperone to accompany her on the trip. He hoped not long, but he’d never had to deal with this kind of situation before.

  Dan stared up at the ceiling, wondering again how Penny and her mother could ever have left Jack and the Lazy Ace the way they had. After what he’d experienced in life, he knew how important it was to have a real home and a family.

  Dan wondered, too, how Penny would fare on the long trip to the ranch. The train travel wouldn’t be bad, but that was a very small part of the overall journey. Covering the long miles across Texas in the cramped stagecoaches in cold weather was going to be a rough time for her and her chaperone—there was no doubt about that.

  He tried to imagine Penny living on the ranch again after all these years of being in the city, and he knew it wasn’t going to be easy for her. Even so, he didn’t care. His job was to make sure she got there safely, and he would do it . . . for Jack’s sake.

  Dan finally managed to fall asleep, but it wasn’t a deep sleep. He came awake again just as the eastern sky started to lighten and decided he might as well get up. He’d just finished getting dressed when a knock came at his door.

  “Who is it?”

  “Charley, the desk clerk.”

  Dan opened the door to see what he wanted at such an early hour.

  “I have a message for you here from a Miss Anderson,” the clerk said as he handed him a small envelope.

  Dan gave him a tip for his trouble and shut the door to quickly read the message.

  Dear Mr. Roland,

  All the arrangements have been made. My chaperone and I will be ready to depart whenever you are. Please let me know as soon as possible when you need us to be ready.

  Sincerely,

  Penny Anderson

  With great relief at the good news, he grabbed up his coat and left the hotel to get the tickets for the afternoon train and to send a wire to Jack letting him know they were on their way.

  The days ahead would be challenging, but he believed the hardest part of his trip was over.

  Jack’s daughter had agreed to return home.

  Penny finished packing the last of the clothes she was going to take with her in her two suitcases. This had been her home for a long time now, and she found herself wondering if she would ever be back here again. Tears threatened, but she refused to cry. She was doing what she had to do. Right then, seeing her father again was the most important thing.

  She could only imagine how long and rough the trip was going to be, but with Dwylah along, she knew their time together wouldn’t be
dull. Drawing a deep breath to fortify herself, Penny got up and left the room. Mr. Roland had sent a note to meet him at the train station at one o’clock. And there was still one more thing she had to do before then. She found her aunt in the parlor, waiting for her.

  “I’m ready to go to the cemetery now,” Penny said.

  “Let me get Andrew. I told him earlier that we were going there some time this morning.”

  A few minutes later, Andrew, the cook’s husband, drove their small carriage around front to pick them up. The drive to the cemetery didn’t take long.

  Matilda waited back in the carriage as Penny descended and headed toward her mother’s grave. She knew her niece needed some time alone there.

  Penny stared down at the marker as if it would give her the answers she sought. “Why did you keep Papa’s letters from me?” she whispered.

  A chilling wind picked up, and Penny clutched her coat more tightly around her.

  “Good-bye, Mama,” she said softly.

  She took one last look around and then returned to the carriage. The driver helped her back in, and she sat down beside her aunt again.

  “Are you ready?” Matilda asked.

  Penny nodded. “We need to get back before Dwylah and Mr. Roland show up.”

  “We can go now, Andrew,” she ordered.

  They started the trip back to the house.

  In her heart as the cemetery disappeared from view, Penny wondered how long it would be before she came back to visit her mother’s grave again.

  They’d been riding in silence for a while when Matilda finally spoke up.

  “I can’t believe you’re leaving.”

  “Neither can I. Everything happened so fast.”

  “I’m going to miss you, and with Christmas coming . . .” It saddened her to know Penny wouldn’t be there for the holidays.

  “I’ll be with Papa this Christmas.” The thought warmed her heart. She was so glad that she was being given the opportunity to set things right between them. She knew she had a lot to make up for, and she was going to get the chance.

  “Yes, you will.”

  They fell silent again.

  Dwylah had made it a point to arrive at Matilda’s house early, and she’d been keeping a sharp eye out the front parlor window ever since, watching for Dan Roland to arrive. The minute she saw his carriage pull up, she headed for the front door to let him in. There was no need to bother Matilda and Penny as they made their final preparations. She was about to travel across the country with this handsome young cowboy, and she was eager to see him again and to get to know him.