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  Annie returned the greeting with her own fascinating smile. “And you’ve been taught well the art of flattery, Mr. McCall, sir.”

  “Weren’t taught, ma’am. Got it from my daddy. Purely natural.”

  “Don’t let him fool you, miss. He works hard at it. I got all the natural good looks and talent.” Another tall, handsome young man had entered the room through the door. He smiled slyly, took Annie’s hand, bent and kissed it lightly on the back. “Matthew Robert McCall, miss. And I’m right pleased to see that you’re up and about and lookin’ so very lovely.”

  Annie giggled softly with delight. Never had she seen two more attractive men in all her life! Not only handsome, both had brown hair and brown eyes, and were tall and boiling over with personality. Something told her that it took an overwhelming amount of positive personality to make people feel the way she did just then. The door squeaked again and another man entered the room.

  “Now, that…that there is our big brother, Jackson. He weren’t endowed with nothin’ but a mean streak. He’s a smart mouthed tease, and he works too much and too hard to be good for any feller,” Baker teased.

  Jackson McCall’s eyes captured Annie’s. Something about his very presence was overwhelming and Annie couldn’t help but take a step backward when he approached and offered her his hand. His was the face she’d seen in her dream, and a vision of him standing before her bare from the waist up flashed through her mind and she went crimson. He reached out and took her hand, shaking it twice, very ceremoniously.

  “Glad to see you’re up and about, miss. I wasn’t too sure myself that we found you in time. And don’t listen to my brothers. I’m the handsomest and the smartest! The spittin’ image of my daddy.”

  Somewhere Annie found her composure. “I thank you, sir, for finding me and bringing me here. I surely would’ve perished if you hadn’t.”

  The three brothers looked back and forth at one another with raised eyebrows, then back to Annie.

  “Darlin’…I hope you’ll loosen up a bit around us boys. You’re too polite. Now, what do we call you?” Baker asked.

  “She let me pick a name for her boys,” Mrs. McCall chirped, smiling proudly. The three men looked at their mother. “I’ve decided on, Annie,” she announced, beaming.

  “Annie!” came the simultaneous exclamation from all three.

  “For Pete’s sake, Mama! We’ve had three cows and an old sow named Annie,” Jackson grumbled.

  “Well, now we have a beautiful girl in our home named Annie. And I’m sure she’s starving.” She helped Annie sit down in one of the chairs at the table and Baker and Matt sat on either side of her with Jackson, Mary and herself across from them.

  Matt leaned over and whispered, “Mama always wanted a daughter named Annie so bad that everything that come along stock wise that was female, she named Annie. It’s really a compliment you see...to be named after three cows and a sow.”

  Annie smiled. She felt safe. For the moment. But something in the back of her mind was nagging at her sense of security. How she wished she could remember.

  Never had Annie tasted such delicious food! She was convinced Mrs. McCall was truly a culinary expert. After dinner everyone retired to the front of the house. A refreshing breeze filled the room and it was comforting to sit and listen to the family’s conversation about the day.

  “You know, ol’ Buck Woodly is sellin’ that bull of his, Mama,” Baker began. “He wants a piece for him, but I’m willin’ to buy him myself if we can get rid of ol’ Root.”

  “Ol’ Root isn’t any more difficult than any other bull, Baker. He just has it in for you,” Maggie said.

  “That’s right, Baker,” Matt added. “You never shoulda done his tail that way three years ago. He remembers. Don’t think he doesn’t.”

  “He don’t act up with me or Matt,” Jackson said, smiling slyly at his brother.

  “Well, fine then. Fine. You boys run along side him a yankin’ on that ring in his nose from now on. I’m tired of the ol’ cuss,” Baker added.

  “He has a ring in his nose?” Annie asked out loud without thinking.

  Everyone in the room looked at her, mouths gaping open as if she bore a ring in her nose.

  “You ever seen a bull up close before, Annie?” Mary asked.

  “I don’t think I have, actually,” she said, feeling ridiculous for letting such a question slip from her thoughts and out through her mouth.

  “Well, I’ll take you out to meet ol’ Root tomorrow. And you can tug on his ring a bit if you want. Maybe you can start runnin’ him down for me,” Baker chuckled, smiling drowsily.

  “Mary’s comin’ over tomorrow to help finish up my peaches, Annie. It’ll go so much faster havin’ you here to help now,” Maggie said, smiling excitedly.

  “Oh my, yes! I better be gettin’ home, Mrs. McCall. It’s late. I’ll be here first thing though,” Mary said standing.

  “I’ll take you, Mary,” Jackson said, yawning as he stood and headed toward the door. Mary followed.

  Annie was horrified. “Aren’t you going Mrs. McCall?” she asked frantically.

  “Maggie please, dear,” Mrs. McCall answered. “Whatever for?” she added lightly.

  Everyone in the room was waiting for Annie’s answer. She felt silly again, but every logical nerve in her body told her that a woman always had an escort with her when she was with a man.

  Jackson answered for her, “Mama, I think she means why aren’t you goin’ to make sure I don’t misbehave. Isn’t that right, Annie?” Annie nodded and he smiled slyly at her. “You’re definitely not from around these parts, girl. I’m just makin’ sure she gets safely home. Nothin’ else.”

  Annie felt a little annoyed at his mocking tone of voice.

  “Don’t worry, Annie,” Mary said smiling. “You’ll get used to everything right soon. I’ll see you all tomorrow.” And they left, unescorted.

  

  Jackson returned later with a crate full of canned pears. “Mary’s mama says she’ll swap you three dozen quarts of pears for three of peaches, Mama.”

  Maggie stood up and clapped her hands. “Oh! I was hopin’ so. Aren’t they lovely, Annie?” she asked.

  “Jack,” Baker began, “do you think we oughta tell someone that you found Annie?” He seemed so serious that a chill ran down Annie’s spine as he asked the question.

  Jackson shot a quick look at her and then looking at his mama said, “No.”

  No one questioned him, but once again Annie’s own questioning thoughts came bursting out.

  “Why not?” she ventured.

  Everyone in the room looked at each other for a moment and then Maggie answered.

  “Well, honey...now don’t you be worryin’ about it...but Jackson thinks maybe we should wait and see if someone is lookin’ for you first. Girls just don’t end up out in the middle of nowhere lookin’ like they were runnin’ from somethin’.”

  Annie looked at Jackson and the serious expression on his face made her shiver involuntarily.

  “Why do you think I’m running from something?” she asked directly and so strongly that she was even a little surprised herself.

  He answered her bluntly. “You were either dumped there on purpose...or you were runnin’ from somethin’. I rode all over that area...didn’t find no carpetbag, trunk, clothes lyin’ around, and no hand bag. Nothin’ that would lead me to think there was some kind of accident that you just wandered off from. I checked with Sheriff Braddock in town, too. No one has come lookin’ for a lost girl. You’re either runnin’ or someone didn’t want you around any more.”

  Baker let out a long sigh. “Boy. You sure is a sweet talker, Jackson. Ain’t no one can soften the blow of disturbin’ news like you can.”

  Annie ripped her gaze away from Jackson’s unsympathetic one and looked to Baker.

  He flashed a dazzling smile and said, “Don’t worry about it, Annie. We’ll all take good care of you and you’re a blessin’ for Mama. You ai
n’t got nothin’ to worry about. Even good ol’ smooth talkin’ Jackson won’t let nothin’ happen to you. He brung you home, didn’t he?”

  She looked to Maggie and the woman seemed to read her mind. “Now stop that, darlin’! You hear me? You’re not a criminal. We’re sure of that. So don’t even think that way. In fact, Jackson thinks you’re probably from a right good family. And that’s one reason we’ll wait to see if anyone comes lookin’ for you.”

  Annie looked back to Jackson. His eyes seared hers as they met again.

  “Why do you think that I’m from a good family?” she asked.

  “The way you were dressed. Fancy. And your skin is too...too…pampered for you to have been workin’ outside for any amount of time. Especially your hands. Soft as silk. They haven’t been workin’ hard lately. Look at them fingernails! Ain’t a workin’ woman on this earth that has fingernails as long as that...all perfectly shaped.”

  Annie felt like bursting into tears. He seemed so disapproving! Shouldn’t a girl be as soft and as feminine as possible?

  “Mark another one up for Mr. Subtle, Mama,” Baker groaned disgustedly.

  “Well, I think it’s time we all turned in,” Maggie suggested, taking Annie’s hand reassuringly.

  “Yep. I’m sure ol’ Root will be out and about at the crack of dawn,” Baker agreed, standing up and stretching. “Where is your mind off to, little brother?” he asked Matt.

  Annie noticed that Matt hadn’t said a word nearly the whole evening.

  “Just thinkin’,” he mumbled.

  “You think too awful much,” Jackson grumbled before leaving the room.

  Maggie took Annie back into the bedroom where she had awakened earlier.

  “Now, there’s some clean nightdresses in here for you and another dress. We wear ‘em out quick here. Don’t have time or need of a lot of fancy wear. You get a good night’s sleep and don’t worry about a thing. Everythin’ will come back to you when you’re ready. I’ll leave the lamp burnin’ all night if you like. The hitchin’ post is right straight out the back door a ways if you should need it.”

  Annie frowned. “The hitching post?” she repeated, completely baffled.

  Maggie chuckled. “The outhouse, honey. I’ll leave you be now. Goodnight...and in the mornin’ we’ll put up a heap a peaches. Maybe do some preserves as well.”

  She kissed Annie lightly on the forehead and turned to leave.

  “I’m sorry, Mrs. McCall...for the inconvenience. I just don’t know what else to do or where else I should go. Maybe we should let the sheriff know that you found me. Surely that would be best.”

  Maggie put a soft, warm hand on the girl’s cheek. “Trust Jackson, Annie. He can be mighty severe at times, but we’ve all learned that he has a special gift for figurin’ things like this out. It’s a little unnervin’, but if he thinks it’s best that we keep you to ourselves for now...then it’s best. Now, get some sleep. Think about apple blossoms and rainbows, darlin’.”

  5

  CHAPTER THREE

  The smell was so strong and familiar. Yet she seemed to be having trouble breathing. The air felt heavy and wet. She stood in a grove of enormous black barked trees. They were very beautiful, but sent fear and anxiety riveting through her. What was the familiar odor in the air? She couldn’t identify it, but it seemed as familiar to her as breathing itself.

  Suddenly then, she knew true terror! The need to flee! To run! Anywhere! She had to escape! From what? She didn’t know. Just that she had to get away!

  “Help me!” she tried to scream. Over and over she tried, but no sound would escape her throat into the nightmare. “Please, help me!” she cried out. She began to gasp with panic. “Help me!”

  “Wake up!” she heard him say. “Wake up. Annie. You’re dreamin’. Listen here. You’re dreamin’.” It was Jackson’s commanding voice and she opened her eyes to find her chin held tightly in one of his strong hands.

  “You’re dreamin’, girl. That’s all.” His face softened for a moment and he smiled ever so slightly at her. “You’re fine. Tell me what you were dreamin’.”

  Annie looked over at Maggie who was smoothing the perspiration from her brow and smiling.

  Maggie nodded and mouthed, “Tell him.”

  She looked back into the eyes of Jackson McCall. They were so disconcerting! She glanced the other way as she spoke.

  “I had to run. I couldn’t breathe. The air felt so heavy! I could smell something...I know what it is...but I can’t remember...and there were enormous trees. Black...oaks...I don’t know how I know that. I had to run...and no one would help me. There was no one there to help me.”

  Annie let the tears trickle down her face. She didn’t care if they thought her weak.

  Maggie smoothed her hair back. “It’s over now, darlin’. You go back to sleep. You need to rest.”

  “Oh, no! I can’t! I don’t want to go back to sleep.” Annie pleaded, sitting up in bed as fright gripped her.

  Jackson stood and Annie’s panic was abruptly interrupted as she noticed his lack of attire. He wore no shirt...only red flannels that had been cut away at the waist and made to tie with a string.

  Maggie laughed as Jackson turned around to leave and Annie clamped her hands over her eyes as she caught a glimpse of the trap door in the rear of the flannels. “Jackson, darlin’,” Maggie said through her giggles. “You may have to learn some modesty now that we’ve got another female in the house.”

  He turned and looked back at his behind. “Why? They’re hitched up and fastened good enough. What’s she all fire blushin’ about?”

  Maggie chuckled, and when he had closed the door behind him she stood to leave as well. “Forgive my boys, Annie. They’re daddy didn’t care much for modesty either. It’s like bangin’ my head against a brick wall tryin’ to keep them decent at all. Go to sleep, pretty baby. It’ll all be right in the mornin’.”

  

  Amazingly enough, Annie did fall asleep, and quickly. And slept soundly until morning. The first thing she heard as she drifted away from slumber and into the day was a meadowlark’s song carried through the open window on the cool morning breeze. The smell of peaches was sweet and strong on the air, too.

  She could hear low-pitched voices coming from the other room and she guessed that the McCall boys and their precious mama had been up and about for some time. She felt happy and safe again. For the first time since...since she couldn’t remember.

  Quickly she dressed and braided her hair. Taking a deep breath she opened her door. Sunshine radiated through the kitchen windows and she had been right, for the three men and their mother were finishing up breakfast. Annie began to salivate as the aroma of frying bacon and hot maple syrup filled her senses.

  “Good mornin’, Annie!” Maggie chirped with a broad smile.

  Baker smiled broadly at her and she returned the greeting. Annie had already decided that this man’s moods were contagious. “Well. Let me just tell you, Miss Annie...that you better be dang glad I ain’t the one who found you lyin’ out there...’cause I would’ve just run off with you all to myself. Jackson ain’t got the sense given a pig.”

  “I’m done, Mama. I’ll be in the north pasture if you need me,” Matt said, rising from the table and kissing his mother’s cheek. “Baker can complain all he wants to about chasin’ down ol’ Root, but seems like I’m the one always gets stuck with repairin’ that north fence when he busts it down. You have a good day, Annie...and don’t let Mama run you ragged just yet.” He tipped his hat with a smile and headed out the back door.

  “Hello!” Mary called from the front door.

  “Come on in, honey!” Maggie said, wiping her hands on her checkered apron. “I’m glad you’re here. Now we can get started as soon as Annie’s had her breakfast. Have you eaten, Mary?”

  “Oh, yes, ma’am. You know my mama...don’t matter if she starves you the rest of the day...we all eat breakfast whether or not we want to,” Mary said as Annie noti
ced her eyes lingering on the back of Jackson’s head.

  “Me and Baker are gonna break in that new black today, Mama,” Jackson mumbled as he wiped his mouth with a white napkin.

  “Oh, no! Jackson...surely not yet. He’s so wild! I wish you would geld him instead of usin’ him for stud. He frightens me.” Maggie said. “I hate when you go a breakin’ in horses as wild as that one. Bill scares me even now.”

  “Oh, Mama...you worry too much. You know big brother can break any horse alive. I’d put money on it any day of the week,” Baker assured her, looking at his brother who grinned back at him.

  “Dang right,” Jackson said, slapping Baker’s broad shoulder.

  “You see, Annie,” Maggie began, “my boy Jackson here, thinks there ain’t a horse on this green earth that he can’t ride. I’ll admit...he’s bred some mighty fine colts and fillies...made a heap of money doin’ it. But you watch him a bit today and tell me if it was your baby out there, how you’d feel. Besides, there’s always your daddy to consider, Jackson.”

  The boys’ smiles faded.

  “Now, Mama...don’t you worry about me. I won’t take no unnecessary chances,” Jackson assured her.

  “It’s unnecessary to break him at all, son.”

  Baker stood and kissed his mother affectionately on the forehead. “Don’t you worry, Mama. That’s why I go with him. To keep his head on his shoulders, ‘stead of smashed in the dirt. Ladies,” he said, tipping his hat as he put it on. “Do come out for a visit later after Mama has you sick of peaches.” And he left.

  Jackson stood up and kissed his Mama as well. “Don’t you girls let her sit in here and fret all mornin’. He’s not as bad as you think, Mama. Girls,” he said with a smile and followed his brother out.

  Annie didn’t miss the look that passed between Mary and Jackson as he had turned to leave, and for some reason she felt resentful of it.

  “I hope they’re careful, Mrs. McCall,” Mary said, frowning.