The Ranger's Daughter

"That was a fine supper, darlin'." Garrett Lace said with a smile as he leaned back in his chair. "You would make your mother proud."

April Grace smiled at her Pa as she stood to clear their plates from the table. "You compliment me far too often, Pa."

A small from creased Garrett's forehead as he studied his young daughter. She was eighteen now. A grown woman. "Gracie, you- you've had a happy life, haven't you?"

"What?" she turned from the dirty dishes to look at her pa in confusion.

"I mean, even though your ma wasn't here to help bring you up. I've done right by you haven't I? You've been happy enough. Right?"

"Oh, Pa." Leaving the dishes, Grace dried her hands on her apron as she knelt beside her fathers chair and took his scared hands in hers. "Pa, of course I have. You shouldn't ever doubt that. I know I never had what most girls did, but you are the best father to me. "

"Even though I'm tied to this blasted chair?" Garrett shock his head in disgust.

"Pa, you may not be perfect but I never once expected you to be. You were injured in the most heroic way and I applaud you. I could never be more proud of my father." Reaching up, Grace pressed a kiss to her father's weathered cheek. "I love you, Pa."

"Gracie, your'e eighteen this year and well- things are gonna be a mite different around here."

"Oh, Pa. You don't have to worry about me marrying or something and leaving you." Grace laughed as she patted her father's hand and stood up. "You know you are the only man in my life."

"Now, Gracie, you settle down a minute and listen to me. I don't want you wasting your life catering to an old crippled man. I've served my purpose and raised you as your mama would've wanted."

A frown crinkled her brow as she frowned at her father. "Pa, what are you saying?"

Garrett paused and gathered his thoughts. He mustn't give too much away. He didn't want her to find out too soon or to worry about him. Although, she probably should be. Garrett missed his wife- missed her so much every drawn breath caused him pain in his heart and mind. Each breath he too was a breath without his Belle. "I'm saying that you shouldn't stay in the past. Each day is brand new and you need to move forward. Embrace each day. Make your life count for something. "

"You mean you want me to find a job in town or marry?"

"Or both if you want to. Gracie, you are a young woman now. A young woman exactly like your mother was. If your heart is anything like hers was, I know that you must long for a family of your own. You need babies to cuddle and a husband to dote on. Not your old pa."

"If it will please you, pa, I'll socialize more. "

"Gracie, socializing isn't exactly what I'm referring to." Pushing back from the table, Garrett rolled closer to his daughter. The daughter that so closely resembled her beautiful mother. "I want you to move on with your life and create a happy life for your husband and family. Promise me, Gracie. Promise me you will be happy. "

"I promise, Pa." Grace said, tears filling her eyes unexpectedly. She didn't know why her father was being so solemn this evening. Usually, he was a happy joyful type. Most evenings after supper, he would tell Grace stories of her mother. Or experiences he had when he rode as a Texas Ranger. Usually a smile was always upon his lips, a joke or teasing comment on his tongue. Tonight however he seemed very different, and it worried Grace.

"Good. Good. I'm gonna go to bed now. I'm a bit tuckered out tonight. Now, Gracie, " Garrett paused his chair at the doorway of his room off of the kitchen. "You remember your promise now, 'ya hear? Don't you forget it."

"I won't" Grace promised. "Good night, Pa. I love you."

"Love you too my little April's Grace." Casting her a wink that was a bit more like his old self, Garrett wheeled his chair into his room and shut the door firmly behind him. It had been a long day and he still had a letter to write before bed.

Grace finished washing the dishes and stacked them neatly on the shelves above the counter, then she tiptoed off to her own bed. It had been a tiring day and her pa's odd behavior at dinner weighed heavily on her mind as she changed out of her work dress and into her white night dress. Kneeling alongside the bed, Grace folded her hands together and said a heartfelt prayer. "And please God, be with my pa. Give him the strength to go on. I know each day is a struggle for him without my mama, but if you could help him out just a bit I would be forever grateful. Through Jesus name, Amen." Rising quickly, Grace snuggled under her warm quilt. Her eyes were drooping shut almost before her head touched her pillow.

---

Grace was making breakfast the next morning when her father's bedroom door opened and he came out. "Morning Pa." Grace said with a smile towards her favorite father.

"Good morning, April Grace." Garret winked at his daughter and dramatically sniffed the air. " Ah good. You got my note." He said as he wheeled himself to the table.

"What note?" Grace giggled as she sat the stack on pancakes on the table before him.

"The note that said you better make my favorite pumpkin spiced pancakes or else I'll make you sleep in the barn."

Grace rolled her eyes as she took her seat. "You've never made anyone sleep in the barn, Pa. You had best think up a new note because i know your threats are useless."

"Aw well... I've always been better at eating pancakes than making up threats."

"Here." Grace said passing the maple syrup to her Pa. "We don't have much syrup left. I'll have to see Mr. Willis about that."

"Mmhhmm." Garrett said around a mouthful of pancake. "Him and his boys always did make the best syrup ."

"Yes sir." Grace said savoring her own bite of sweet spice pancake.

"I have to ride into town this morning. Talk to Tom about that rocking chair he's been fixing for me."

"I'm surprised he isn't finished with it." Grace commented as she took a sip of her milk. "He's usually pretty fast but he's had that chair for nearly two weeks already."

"True, but I heard he's been going back and for to the city. Something about his married daughter."

"Kate? I wonder how she's doing. I haven't heard anything from her since she married and moved away."

"Well, it can't be good news if her Pa has to go to the city four times within two weeks."

"Four times? I wonder if she's okay."

"I'm sure her Pa will get everything squared away. " Finishing the last swig in his glass, Garrett wiped his mouth and pushed away from the table. "I'd better be off. Anything I can get for you, Gracie?"

"I do need a few spices." Grace said standing up as well. "Why don't I go with you and I can pick them up while you see Tom?" She suggested as she piled the dishes on the counter and moved to fetch her bonnet.

"No, no. I'll get the spices."

"But Pa-"

"No, you just stay here. Air out the parlor's rugs like you've been wanting to do. I'll get your spices and be back faster then a hunting dog."

"Okay, but remember to take you hat Pa. I don't want you to catch a headache."

"Sun never used to bother me." Garrett grumbled as Grace returned from his room carrying his brown stetson.

Garret Lace wandered into the general store. He needed to buy Gracie's spices and he wanted to find something special for her. A gift. Tom and his wife Maryanne owned the general store and though the town was small, they always kept their mercantile well stocked with useful items.

Maryanne was helping a woman at the counter and Garrett didn't see Tom anywhere. Either Tom was in the back or else he was still in the city helping his daughter. Garret selected the three spices their kitchen had been low on and then moved on to browse for a girlie gift. He really wasn't any good with deciding upon gifts for females. His wife had always said he chose the worst best gifts. They were truly terrible gifts but they were so bad that she loved them and treasured them. Garrett's blue eyes misted a bit as he remembered his wife wrapping her arms around his neck and pressing a kiss to his cheek. "Oh Garrett! This is the worst best go you've ever given me!" She giggled as she clutched the handful of grass in her hand.

"I though it was thoughtful!" Garrett defended his gift. "It's been a long winter and you said you missed seeing the grass."

"So you dug through several feet of snow until you found some?"

Garrett nodded, beginning to feel rather embarrassed about his random gift.

"Oh darling, " Belle Lace wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her lips firmly against his. "I would dig through snow for you too."

Garrett chuckled. "Instead, how about you turn your back so I can snitch a piece of pie?"

"Garrett. Garrett? Garret Lace, I say, are you okay?"

Garrett blinked slowly and willed his eyes to focus on the woman in front of him. It wasn't Belle. "Hello, Maryanne." He greeted rather hoarsely.

"Are you okay, Garrett, honey? Maryanne asked, concern shadowed her face.

"Of course. I'm- " Garrett cleared his throat and willed his mind to stay focused on the task at hand. "I'm looking for a gift. For my Gracie."

Mary Anne smiled in delight and clapped her hands together. "Oh that is so sweet!" She exclaimed. "A gift without a reason! You always were a thoughtful one, Garrett. Now what did you have in mind?"

"Umm..." Garrett scratched his whiskery chin. "I don't rightly know. Just something nice, I guess. Something that she'll really love."

Mary Anne frowned in thought. "Well, " she mused, "there's the regular things like jewelry, fabric for a dress, lace collars. You have no idea as to what you're looking for?"

"I want it to be something she will truly adore."

Mary Anne raised her eyebrows as she wandered the store. "Well that's a tall order, Garrett. What about these?"

"What is it?" Garrett wheeled his chair across the room to examine what she held. "Sticks?"

"No, no!" Mary Anne giggled, truly amused by the man's lack of knowledge. "They're bamboos knitting needles with a decorative ivory ball at the top. See? They were imported! It took them nearly three months to arrive. I shouldn't have bought them but they were so pretty and I just knew that some woman would be glad she owned such s fine pair of needles. "

"My Gracie does love to knit. Are they awfully expensive?" He asked as he took the needles from her. His calloused fingers slid smoothly over the polished wood.

"I'm afraid so." Mary Anne frowned as she watched the man admire the needles in question. "They're nearly two dollars!"

Garret's bushy eyebrows shot straight up to his hairline. "Two dollars?" He repeated just to be sure he'd heard right.

"Yes, indeed. They're so fancy you see and it wasn't cheap to import them."

Garrett studied the needles in silence for several seconds, considering. Finally he nodded and handed the bamboo needles back to Mary Ann. "Wrap them up. And a couple skeins of that soft wool yarn my girl loves to work with."

"Of course! Of course!" Mary Anne bustled around wrapping his purchases and tallying the total. She was positively delighted with the sale. She just knew Grace would adore the knitting needles. "There you are. " she said handing him the packages and accepted the money he offered her. "Anything else for you today?"

"Is Tom around?"

"I'm afraid not. Our daughter is having dome difficulties with her husband. He should be back soon. Should I tell him to call on you?"

"No, don't bother. Just give him this letter, will ya?"

"Of course I will!" Mary Anne assured Garrett as she accepted the letter. "You have a good day now!"

Garrett paused near the door as he places the hat on his head. "You too. And please don't forget the letter, Mary Anne. It's important."

---

"Pa!" Grace exclaimed in delight when she opened the brown package. "They're- oh Pa! Where did you ever find bamboo knitting needles?"

Garrett smiled at his daughter as they sat at the table after the noon meal. "I have my ways Gracie baby. Do you really like them?"

Grace promptly stood and bent to wrap her arms around her Pa's neck. "I'll treasure them even more because they are from you. This is a wonderful gift, pa. You are too kind to me."

"I'm glad you like them. You'll have to knit a sweater or something with the yarn."

"It is such a pretty shade of green, I wonder how they ever got that yarn dyed so prettily."

"It is nice." Pushing back from the table Garrett rolled towards the door. "I'm gonna go do some bridle mending in the barn. You enjoy your yarn and needles."

"Oh I will! Thank you, Pa."

"You're welcome. I love you, Gracie."

"Love you too, Pa." Grace smiled in joy as she fairly danced to the parlor to store her new yarn and needles in her yarn basket. She would have to use the yarn to knit a warm sweater for her pa. He would look so nice in that green. She giggled to herself as she went back to the kitchen to clean up after their noon meal. She may even have enough yarn for a pair of matching socks!

Once in the barn, Garrett moved slowly if a bit unsteady. It was difficult for him to walk and move around out of his chair. It was nearly impossible and very painful, mouth he could do it if he had a bit of support and a strong amount of determination and Garrett Lace was determined. Today was his wedding anniversary.though so many years had passed, his memory of the day remained untarnished. He could still see his beautiful Belle moving down the aisle to join her on to his. Till death do them part.

----

Mary Ann frowned at the letter sitting on the counter near the register. Tom may not be home for days yet and Garrett said the letter was very important. She paused, trying to decide if she should or she shouldn't. Convincing herself that their may be something she can do to help, she finally reached for the letter and tore it from the envelope. Unfolding it, she gasped as she read:

Dear Tom, If you're reading this, I'm already gone. I beg you please do not judge me too harshly. I am an old crippled man that misses his wife beyond words. I know you can't fully feel my pain because, thank the good Lord, you still have your beloved Mary Ann. I've been living nearly sixteen years without my Belle and each day is more difficult then the last. Please forgive my selfishness but I have served my purpose. Gracie is eighteen now, fully grown. She no long needs me around and I am tired, so tired, Tom. I write you to tell you how much you and Mary Ann have meant to me over the years. And though I know I have no right to ask it, would you please watch over my Gracie. Make sure she moves on and lives her life to the full. I want her to be happy and she won't be happy huddled away in a cabin caring for her crippled old Pa her whole life. Make her understand, Tom. I love her so very much. She is so much like my Belle. And so farewell, my dear friend.

Garrett Lace

Tears streamed from Mary Anne's eyes as she ran as fast as she could from the store. Storming into the livery she quickly mounted a horse that had been tied to the hitching post.

"Hey!" The blacksmith protested.

"I'll bring him back!" Mary Anne hollered as she spurred the horse to a gallop. Dear God, please don't let me be too late! Please, please, please! She prayed as the horse ran as fast as it could for the Lace farm.

Gracie hurried from the house to the cellar. She would fetch some preserved fruit and make a pie for dinner. Her pa would be thrilled. He adored peach pie. Of course, Grace loved pie too but this pie was for her pa. Today was his and her mamas anniversary and Grace knew how difficult it was for her pa. How much he missed and loved his wife. Perhaps this pie will help to cheer him up a bit, Grace thought as she returned to the kitchen and began the pie preparations.

---

Mary Anne rode faster then she ever had in all of her adult life. Normally it took nearly two hours to reach town from the Lace's farm. Mary Anne was riding hard, she was determined to cut that time down to a quarter. She had to! Garret's life depended on it. Though she'd never ridden astride before, she adapted quite well and was able to better focus on the speed she needed. 'Oh I wish this horse had the wings of an angel.' She mumbled to herself. "Please, please Lord!"

---

Grace sat at the tabled and peeled potatoes, she smiled as the cooking pie began to fill the small kitchen with warm spiced aromas. The kitchen window was open, and Grace was sure it wouldn't belong until her Pa smelled his favorite pie and came to the kitchen. That was one thing about him, although his legs didn't work properly, his nose made up for the lack! He was always wandering to the kitchen where he smelled something good baking. Sometimes he would come to the kitchen just to suggest she bake something good. He was a man that throughly enjoyed the fine arts of baking. He enjoyed eating them, that is!

Grace took the pie from the oven and carefully sat it on the window sill to cool. He would smell it for sure now.

She returned to her potatoes then quickly tidied up the kitchen. The pie was warm to the touch and still her Pa hadn't left the barn. Silly man, Grace thought as she untied her apron strings. She would simply have to fetch him. He enjoyed the pie so much more when it was still warm from the oven. Opening the kitchen door, walked the short distance from the house to the barn. "Pa?" She called a she entered the cool interior of the barn. It took several second for her eyes to adjust to that darkness or the barn, when they finally adjusted so she could see she wished they never had. She stared at her fathers body dangling from a rope looped over the beam in the barn roof. His face was as black as coal.

Grace ran from the barn, she barely made it outside before she collapsed to the ground sobs shaking her body. Her mind shut itself down, she couldn't think at all. She could only ... Feel. Harsh sobs continued to wrack her body, she wrapped her arms around her middle and best over, attempting to hold herself together. She was past that point however.

Mary Anne galloped into the yard, she halted the horse and slipped down quickly. Running to the collapsed Grace, Mary Anne knew that she was too late. Far too late. Kneeling down beside the crying girl, Mary Anne wrapped her arms around Grace. Grace turned in the embrace and clung to Mary Anne as she continued to cry in pain. Mary Anne rubbed the girls back and murmured soft unintelligible words to the girl. There was nothing that could be said to comfort Grace. By killing himself, Garrett had taken his pain and passed it to his daughter. She was an orphan now, first her mother and now her father.

Neither Grace or Mary Anne were aware of how long they sat on the ground in front of the barn. The sky was fully dark when Mary Anne finally helped grace to her feet and led her to the house. Mary Anne seated Grace at the kitchen table and went to fetch the kettle. "I'll make us a cup of tea." She murmured to the grieving girl. Grace made no comment and several minutes later Mary Anne was sitting at the table with Grace, each one cradling a warm cup of tea between there hands. "Grace, " Mary Anne whispered into the stillness of the night, "I'll stay with you tonight if you want me to."

Numbly, Grace nodded and offered Mary Anne what she hoped appeared as a small grateful smile. She was sure it fell short however. Grace didn't think she would ever be able to smile again.

After a fitful sleep, Mary Anne rode into town to fetch a few men and the preacher to assist with the body in the barn. Grace had gotten up and cooked breakfast, but Mary Anne was sure it was more from habit than hunger because though Grace filled a plate for herself, she hardly touched any of it.

Mary Ann returned several hour later to find Grace sitting one the porch. She wasn't crying, she was just sitting there staring off into the distance. Mary Anne walked up the few porch steps and knelt done beside the girls chair. "The preacher and the men will be here soon, darlin'. The preacher says under the circumstances, your daddy wonder be able to be buried in the graveyard in town."

"I want him to be buried with mama, here at the farm." Grace's voice was rough fro her many tears and lack of use. But using her voice seemed to break her free from her imprisoned mind. "Oh Mary Anne, why? Why? I don't understand. What did I do wrong?"

"Oh baby." Mary Anne pulled grace close in a hug. "You didn't do anything. Not a single thing. My ours daddy loved you so very much." Grace pulled back and forced Grace to look at her. "He left a letter for my Tom. He said it was Important and to make sure Tom got it. I opened it though and that's how I knew to come. I'll let you read the letter of course if you want to."

Grace nodded slowly, "I want to.. But not-not just yet."

"Of course, darling. Any time you're ready you let me know." Mary Anne stood and pulled Grace to her feet as well. "Come on, we need to make a meal for the men, they're gonna be hungry and tired after- after everything." Grace followed Mary Anne into the kitchen and the two began preparing a meal.

It wasn't long before they heard several horses and a wagon roll into the yard.

Later the evening found Grace and Mary Anne in the parlor. Mary Anne was knitting. Grace was fast asleep in her chair. "Poor thing." Mary Anne whispered to herself. "She's so tuckered out. Lord, please help her. Help her get over this, don't let this mistake be the one that trips her up. Please, help her." Ending her prayer, Mary Anne put her knitting away and stood. She put a hand to Graces shoulder. "Come on, Grace. Go to bed. You'll be more comfortable in bed."

Grace mumbled unintelligibly but moved toward her bed room. "Good night, Mary Anne." She mumbled when she got to her door. "Thank you."

"You're welcome, sweetie." Mary Anne said, but the tired girl had already collapsed on the bed fast asleep. Grabbing a quilt from the end of the bed, Mary Anne covered the girl and left the room.

---

Vance Mcvone stepped down from the train. His usual frown was firmly in place as he studied his home town. It had been many years since he had run away from here. Now he was back, older, more tired, and less trusting but he was back all the same. He turned toward the general store. His ma would be glad to see him at least. Grabbing his saddle bag, the tired, weathered cowboy walked towards the towns general store.