skirt with a deft hand. “Lord, it’s a scorcher today. If we stay out here much longer I’m surely going to fade away like a spirit. Now, get a hurry on or we’ll be late.”
She checked her lipstick and rouge in her small ivory framed vanity mirror. “Are you sure she’s ready to ride on her own?”
“She’s been taught by the best lady’s riding instructor in town. Hasn’t she, dear?”
“That’s true but your flattery doesn’t make me feel any better. Now drive or we’ll be late.”
Bret shifted into gear and the vehicle jerked forward. As the wheels turned, he was no longer disturbed by the longing to open his heart and let bleed all the dark blood it held before.
“Look at her go, my friend!” Captain Anthony Lucas said, pointing up into the air. “God almighty! What a sight!” He laughed and smoothed his thin moustache. “I should have worn a darker suit.”
Bret whistled and threw his hat into the air. “C’mon Captain!” he slapped his business partner on the shoulder. “Race you back to the others before your new white suit changes color.”
The two men ran back another hundred feet from their observation point near the Spindletop oil well to where portly Patillo Higgins squinted anxiously through his spectacles as he stood beside Gabrielle, Philip and Verna at the front of the local crowd of onlookers and curiosity seekers.
Emily sat tall in Chestnut’s saddle and pointed up at the erupting gusher blanketing the sky with its black gold.
“You were right Luchich!” Mr. Higgins gushed, hugging the captain like a long-lost brother. “And after they all said we were fools wasting our time and money. You did it!” He turned and shook hands with the gentlemen in the crowd.
“We all did it,” the captain said, shaking Bret’s hand. “Without your faith none of us would be standing here today.”
“Faith can do wonders, sir, but don’t forget our money,” Philip chipped in. “I think that may have helped somewhat too.”
All of them shared the laugh and shook hands again.
“Right you are, Mr. Harper,” the captain acknowledged and shook his hand. “And you can thank your friend Bret here for convincing you to stay and invest your savings with—”
“Look!” Gabrielle shouted, “It’s going higher still! If only my father—” She lowered her head for a moment and covered her mouth.
The men turned back toward the gushing oil well. Judging by the height of the oil rig, Bret figured the height of the plume to reach over two hundred feet. And where there’s one there’s . . .
He felt the weight of the past being expelled in the spectacular spray of black crude against the brilliant, blue Texas sky.
Bret took Gabrielle’s hand and, bringing her fingers to his lips, kissed them once, then twice. “I love you indeed, Mrs. McGowan, for only your infinite patience and gracious character could have allowed a fool so long to finally prove it.”
Gabrielle’s eyes gleamed brighter than the solitaire diamond of her wedding ring. “Well, Mr. McGowan?” She stroked his cheek. “Not that much of a fool, to be sure. At least you finally had the good sense to ask me . . . and her.”
She looked up at Emily sitting proudly on Chestnut. “I’m so happy for all of us. Emily will be a wonderful big sister.”
Bret smiled up at their newly adopted daughter. So enthusiastic, energetic, and joyful. Already so much like her mother . . . and the new century will be better because of them and the young women to follow. He patted Chestnut’s flank. “How was the riding today, Emily?”
“Pretty good, Mr. McGowan. I’m still a little nervous, but Chestnut is a great horse. So strong to have survived the storm. I can’t thank Mrs. McGowan enough.”
“You can call us Mother and Father if you wish. Remember? We’d like that.”
She smiled and nodded as she wiped a tear. “ Okay . . . thanks Mother . . . and thanks Father!”
Bret smiled. He couldn’t wait for all of them to go riding together.
The crowd behind Gabrielle cheered as the shower of crude leapt even higher. Infused with the exhilaration of the moment, the warmth of her radiant smile beckoned to Bret like a light leading his way into a future whose foundation was being built where they stood. All that had come before had passed away with the dying wind and retreating water.
Bret placed his hand gently on the high waist of Gabrielle’s brown skirt and pressed softly against her now very