Posted by hummingbird on 7/9/2014, 7:58 am VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV
Chapter Thirty-Nine
The trip they made from Chicago to Texas took nearly a week. Bo stopped often at roadside rests and limited the hours they drove each day because of Nora’s condition.
Finally, on the evening of their sixth day of travel, Bo pulled into the long, winding road to the ranch. They passed pastures of galloping horses, cattle grazing, many barns and stables, and a lake before Nora finally saw the rambling ranch house itself, her new home.
“My word, Bo, how will I ever find my way around?”
Bo chuckled. “You’ll know your way around in no time, honey. But, if you get lost, I’ll come looking for you.”
“That’s reassuring,” she replied.
Bo parked the car in front of the house, and went to Nora’s side to give her a hand out. She was a little nervous about meeting his family for the first time, but felt better when Bo took her by the hand.
He must have read her mind because he whispered, “You have no reason to be nervous. I know they’re going to love you,” before giving her a reassuring kiss.
As they entered the front foyer, Bo shouted, “ANYBODY HOME?”
It wasn’t long before a tall figure appeared in a doorway.
“Well, if it isn’t the youngest son returning to the fold! Come in, Bo!”
“Pa! How you doing, Pa? Good to see you.” Bo extended his hand. The men shook hands, then gave each other a man hug.
“It’s really good to see you, Son. Back from the war. I’m proud of you, I really am.” Then Asa Buchanan turned his eyes on Nora. “And, who’s this pretty filly?”
Bo extended his hand to Nora and pulled her to his side.
“Pa, I’d like you to meet my wife Nora.”
“So, this is Nora...She’s just as pretty as you said. It’s nice meeting you, Nora. You look like the kind of girl that could keep my boy happy. Well, we don’t have to stand here. Come on in. I was just working on some things here in the library.”
They followed Asa into the library and had a seat, but Bo couldn’t sit still. He was anxious to see everybody.
“Where is everybody?” Bo asked.
“Well, most of the ranch hands took some cattle to market today,” Asa replied.
“And Maggie?”
“In the kitchen cooking, I hope,” replied Asa.
“I’m going to go surprise her,” Bo said, “then I’ll bring her over to meet you,” he said to Nora, “I’ll be right back, honey.”
No sooner had Bo left than Asa attempted to make conversation with his new daughter-in-law.
“So you’re Nora,” Asa said. “I was so glad when Bo came to his senses and decided to bring you to Texas. I sure didn’t want to see my grandchild being born and raised there in Chicago.”
“You would have been welcome to come visit us anytime you wanted,” Nora said.
“In Chicago?!” Asa shook his head. “I don’t have any dealings in that city...too much crime. That’s where all the mobsters hide out.”
Nora was surprised to find herself getting defensive of her home town.
“I assure you, Mr. Buchanan, not all areas of Chicago are dangerous, and we don’t have mobsters on every corner. My family has lived in the Chicago area for three generations now and we have been very happy there.”
“Well...that may be good enough for them, but not for my grandson. He needs to be here in Texas with wide open skies, fresh air, and horses. Not cooped up in the city…”
Nora started to smile, “Does that go for a granddaughter also, Mr. Buchanan? What if this baby is a girl?”
Asa waved aside her question. “Of course it goes for a granddaughter too. But,” Asa smiled and nodded assuredly, “I’ve got a feeling this baby will be a boy...someone to carry on the Buchanan name. I’m sure Bo wants a boy…” Asa went on.
“Actually, Bo told me he doesn’t care what the baby is…”
Asa glanced at her. “Oh yes, that’s what he says, but all men want a son. Especially Buchanan men...it’s in the blood. We need another ranch hand around here. Girls don’t make the best ranch hands you know,” Asa remarked.
Nora’s blood was beginning to boil. First he insulted her Chicago roots, and now he was treating her unborn child as worthless if it was of the female gender!
“Perhaps not,” Mr. Buchanan. “Perhaps she wouldn’t want to be a ranch hand...perhaps she would rather be a lady lawyer or some other female role of significance!”
“A lady lawyer?!” Asa laughed. “You have some really high ideas, don’t you Lady?”
Nora took a deep breath to keep from showing him any more of what Bo called her “sassy side”, but Asa could tell from the look on her face that he had pushed her a little too far.
“Now don’t go getting your hackles up at me. I’ll love that grandchild even if it is a little filly. I’m just saying…”
Bo entered the room at that point followed by a woman Nora assumed must be Maggie.
Bo could tell Nora was agitated. “Just what are you saying, Pa? What’s going on in here?”
Nora stood. “Everything is fine. Your father and I were just getting to know one another, that’s all…”
Asa said no more as Bo stared him down.
The woman with Bo came right past him. “Oh settle down, you two,” she said. “Let’s not make a bad impression on the lady within the first half hour.” She took Nora’s hands in hers, “Welcome home, Miss Nora. I’m Maggie. I’m so glad to finally meet you. Bo has told me so much about you. I’m happy you’re here.”
* * * * * * *
Bo was right. It didn’t take Nora long to find her way around the ranch house, and they were soon settled into a routine. Bo was working at the Dallas office of BE three days a week, and helping on the ranch the other two days. The ranching days were his favorites.
Nora was adjusting to her new surroundings. The west wing was very spacious, private, and comfortable. Bo had painted one of the rooms a very pale yellow, and they bought a crib and dresser for the baby.
While she was shopping with Maggie and her daughter-in-law, Helen; Nora purchased fabric to make very simple curtains, like Rita had taught her, for the baby’s room. And the final touch for the nursery was a beautiful new rocking chair...a surprise gift from Bo. Everything was ready with just a few weeks to spare.
Once the nursery was finished, Nora spent her time writing letters home or helping Maggie with simple jobs in the kitchen. It finally got to the point where Nora couldn’t stand for long due to her back aching, so Maggie gave her jobs that she could do while sitting. Nora liked being in the kitchen with Maggie. Maggie told her all kinds of stories about Bo as a little boy growing up on the ranch.
* * * * * * *
One Friday night in early February, Bo came into the nursery. He found Nora had fallen asleep in the rocking chair and he kissed her forehead to awaken her.
As she awoke , she saw Bo’s smiling face above her. He was starting to tan, and he looked so handsome in his ranching clothes and cowboy hat.
“Hey Beautiful,” he whispered.
“Hey, Sweetie...I’ve been missing you,” she murmured. “It’s late.”
“I know...I’m sorry it’s so late. What are you doing in here?” he asked looking around. Nora had all of the baby dresser drawers hanging open.
“Oh...I just decided I should dust in here again. Then I was rearranging everything in the drawers.” She showed Bo the new arrangement of the tiny gowns, blankets, and booties. “Just getting ready,” she said. “Maggie tells me it won’t be much longer,” Nora said. “I can hardly wait.”
“Me neither,” Bo agreed. “Hey...want to know why I was so late?”
“Yes,” she answered, “why were you so late?”
“Here,” he said holding out her robe to her. “Put this on and come with me.”
“Where are we going?”
“Just come on, “ he encouraged as she put on her robe.
Bo put his arm around her and led her to a nearby stable.
“Look what I delivered tonight,” Bo said pointing into a stall.
Nora peeked in to see a tiny colt with his Mama. “Ohhh, Bo!” Nora exclaimed. “He’s so cute! And you delivered him?”
“Thomas and I. His mama was having some trouble, so we had to help. I wanted you to see him though, Who does he remind you of?”
“Levanah...he has the same markings. He’s beautiful.”
Bo was grinning from ear to ear.
“So this is what you do when you’re late getting home, huh? You’re a man of many talents, Bo Buchanan.” She went into his arms. “And you look so adorable in your hat and jeans and chaps,” she said cuddling against him and kissing his neck. “If I didn’t have a bulky body and backache...what I wouldn’t do with you…” she said kissing him seductively.
Bo chuckled as he pulled her close. Then he put the hat on her head.
Well...I think, as a rancher’s wife, that you need a hat too. I’ll have to get you one. Then, after the baby comes, we’ll make love wearing nothing but our cowboy hats. How does that sound?” he asked.
“Oooo, that sounds like fun,” she responded with wide eyes. “It’s a date!”