Chapter 2

Clearwater, TX 1862

Penny stood alone, staring at the grave.

Most of the townspeople had already left. She felt alone. Again!

Jason Banks, her husband, was dead.

He had been such a quiet man. Working as a blacksmith several days a week, Jason had been as strong as an ox.

But his strength did not help when a horse he was shoeing suddenly kicked him in the head.

Within a day, Jason Banks was dead, leaving behind a stunned wife and many friends. Doctor Grant assured her that Jason had not suffered, that he had died at peace. Knowing she was now all alone, Doctor Grant had stood beside her at the grave, silently supporting her as people filed by, shaking her hand or hugging her as they said a few words.

“Always enjoyed talking with Jason when he came to town…”

“He was such a hard worker…”

Many of the townspeople had come to the funeral. She knew most of them by name only. She and Jason had never gotten around to visiting the neighbors on a regular basis. Jason was always busy trying to keep the ranch going, and she had refused to go anywhere alone.

“I made a stew for later. I’ll just leave it in your kitchen. And if you need anything…”

Penny looked into the eyes of her kindly neighbor Mrs. Cutler.

If I need anything…

Other people began to pass by.

“Never knew a man who was so happy…”

“I remember when he helped build my barn…”

“Jason always was there to help…”

“Never said a bad word about anyone…”

A young woman stood before her, her eyes brimming with tears.

“I’m so glad Jason brought you to Clearwater. You made him so happy…”

Margaret!

Both of the same age, Penny had started to look forward to her monthly visits to town. Jason was ever patient while she and Margaret spent time together.

Margaret was her closest friend.

More people went by.

“Had a way of making you feel at ease…”

“I remember when he built this house with his own hands…”

“I’ll always remember how quick he was to smile…”

“If you need anything, be sure to let me know…”

If I need anything…

Penny realized the voices had finally stopped. She looked from the fresh grave to the empty road leading into town. Clearwater was just an hour away. She looked around. People who had before stood with her, were already at their homes.

Had she been standing here alone that long?

Behind her was her home, the home Jason brought her to when he had met her at the stage four years ago. The home he had built for her. It was not a large house, but it was enough. It was theirs.

Now it was hers.

Shedding another tear, she bent and placed a wildflower on his grave. She promised to plant some all around later on. Jason loved wildflowers.

She remembered how afraid she had been when she disembarked from the stage, not sure what to expect. But Jason had been a gentle man. He had been patient with her when she burned the dinners, or failed to sew his shirts properly. Instead of becoming angry, he would just smile, and tell her in time, she would learn.

Time.

Jason had no more time.

She never did learn how to cook a proper meal. She had tried to remember how ma had made the biscuits or cooked the gravy or stew. Jason just got used to eating whatever she made.

Jason always seemed happy.

She remembered the first time she tried to make gravy. She knew you added flour and water to the grease. At first, she mixed too much flour in the grease, which meant she had to add more water to the thick paste. Then the gravy was too thin and soupy again. She kept adding flour, then water until the skillet was overflowing with lumpy gravy, which was still too soupy. But Jason had laughed. Said we had enough gravy for a month.

Another tear fell down her cheek as she looked at the grave.

Jason was gone.

She was alone.

If I need anything…

There were a few men still at the ranch, men Jason had hired to help. She pulled her shawl tighter across her shoulders. What was she supposed to do now?

The grave looked barren, the mound of dirt announcing to everyone that death had again been victorious. She needed to get a headstone. Jason deserved that.

If I need anything…

She felt the fear of being alone again. The same fear she had felt when Anna and Alley left. The same fear she had felt when ma left her at the stage depot.

Again, she felt alone.

Again, she wondered, what was going to happen to her?