Raindance Part 2

They were in the car now; Chasity had deposited Little Sparrow's bags in the trunk and they were on their way, the wind zipping through their hair as they fought to roll up the windows.
When Little Sparrow failed to speak, Chasity felt as if she needed to make the situation very clear to her, so she said, "For some reason, Myna is under the impression that White Feather is....er...interested in me. Totally not true."

"Oh good," Little Sparrow smiled. "Oh that Myna - what an imagination my dear friend has. Custar will never understand her."

"Custar?"
"Oh yes. The two have been married seven times each and divorced seven times each - all to each other."

"No?" Chasity echoed, totally fascinated and when she heard her new housekeeper giggling, she joined in. When she sobered she plied, "Do they have any children together?"

"Not hardly. Myna never could sit still long enough for that to happen," Little Sparrow told her and they both giggled again.

They flew past the city marker and Chasity asked, "Del Rio. What does it mean, Little Sparrow? Do you know?"
"The river."

"The river?"

"Yes. Del Rio is the river that snakes all the way through Cherokee county. Runs past your ranch and waters your horses. Also runs through Bandera land."

"I had not realized that the river was so long," Chasity commented along the way.
"Long - but not very wide. About forty years ago there was a big flood. Wasn't good at all."

During the next few days, the house started taking shape and Chasity and Little Sparrow were able to take up residence.

On her seventh day at the ranch, Chasity made tracks for Bandera with a rusty horseshoe in one hand that she had found in the barn along with a hammer and a few nails.

Once she reached the Bandera flag she concentrated on the stumpy wooden post juxtapose to the metal post that supported the official Bandera flag, the boundary marker that Custar had referred to the day Caldonya had escaped.

As if on cue, Easton appeared in the distance and neared her as she set to work, driving nails in the wood, then balancing the horseshoe over them.
"I don't know whether to come near you or not with that hammer in your hand," he remarked, his eyes falling meaningfully to her loaded hand.
An amused expression was stamped onto his handsome face but Chasity refused to back away from him as he neared her.
"It's been seven days," she told him, her chin held high, her face etched with a crooked little smile that reeked of over-confidence.
Easton acknowledged her statement with a curt nod, then threw acid on her with, "There's still one devil of a summer to get through."
He was trying to get her goat, but she refused to allow him the satisfaction. "Yes there is. And then there will be the brisk autumn, the bitter winter and the floods of spring. Easton, I shall not be moved!"
"We'll just see, Chasity, we'll just see," he tossed out to her retreating backside and once again, Easton noted what a lovely backside it was.
The ranch house had been decorated in a western theme and both Chasity and Little Sparrow had discussed how much they enjoyed the space. Comfortable, clean and cozy - it was home. And it felt like home.
Chasity had left traces of her uncle throughout the house like the ancient German-crafted clock which still kept time with a soft muffled chime.
Little Sparrow was busy putting away the food that she'd purchased at the market in Del Rio as Chasity entered the kitchen. Little Sparrow took in the straw hat, the thick gardening gloves and the worn jeans.
"Planning on spending your Saturday gardening?" she asked, reminding herself once again how beautiful this young woman was. Best part of all, she didn't realize it.
"Yes! And I can't wait to start," Chasity smiled to Little Sparrow.
"Well, be forewarned that the Mouth-of-Eternal-Words is coming over for a sneak preview of the ranch house," Little Sparrow felt inclined to warn. To Chasity's perked brows, she clarified, "Myna."
"Gee thanks," Chasity told her, and they both shared a giggle.
The sun was warm on her back as she worked the black soil. It was rich in minerals and there was a lot of good top soil. Her uncle had never been much on flowers and he preferred store-bought beans over home-grown ones.
Chasity intended to change that practice by putting in beautiful flower gardens around the house, as well as a giant garden out back. She intended to grow enough vegetables to share with the cowboys.
Maybe some corn on the cob, some green beans and tomatoes. Nothing like home-grown, vine-ripened tomatoes she decided with a smile.
Boy, it was hot for May she tacked onto her thoughts as she worked, practically planted in the black earth.
"Good day to you, Chasity Summers. Is Little Sparrow around?"
Chasity jumped, startled by Myna's sudden appearance, even though it was expected.
She turned and studied the rail-like figure closely. At least she thought this was Myna. The cap of brown hair was now a yellow hue and it was topped with a floppy hat supporting one long-stemmed daisy that stood almost straight up in the air, weaving slightly to and fro as Myna fidgeted about.
"Hi there, Myna," she greeted with a smile. "She's expecting you. I think she's still in the kitchen - so just go on in and make yourself at home."
"I wouldn't plant sweet peas there," she suddenly advised, eyeing the new trellis that Chasity had just installed with a thoughtful gaze. "Sometimes we have a calf get loose and they favor sweet peas."
"Well, if they eat these sweet peas, then they'll be goners," Chasity idly threatened.
"Good for you!" Myna openly praised, then she disappeared into the house, Killer the hound asleep on the creaky porch.
"Don't bother barking, dear," Chasity told him in a mocking tone. "We wouldn't want you to strain yourself."
Killer opened his bloodshot eyes and rolled them up at her then yawned, stretched his front legs and almost immediately drifted off again.
There was no wind to be felt on this hot day and the trees stood silent and still as she continued creating her garden. Wouldn't it be beautiful? She couldn't wait to put in the gardenias. She loved the smell of gardenias.
She began humming a popular tune as she worked the short garden spade and yet again, she was interrupted.
"Thar's a frog on your back patio," Hal informed. "You care if I kill it? I'll use the BB gun, or maybe a sling shot-"
"No! Don't you dare, Hal Boston!" she rushed out, rising to face him.