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“Goodbye, old friend.” He waited until he was back on the street to put his hat on. He returned home—his ma’s home, at least.
A smile curved his mouth as he thought of the home he had his eye on. A small ranch across the border in Alberta not far from Eden Valley Ranch. There he’d build a secure place of his own.
“Did you say you had a leak in your roof?” he said to Ma. He didn’t wait for her reply before he grabbed a hammer and ladder and climbed up to begin repairs.
He inserted new shingles and pounded in nails.
“Nate.”
He’d know that voice anywhere. Louise. Once they’d been close, but now that, too, had changed.
He’d moved on and had plans of his own. She’d stayed, married Gordie and now carried his child. She’d succeeded in holding on to the Porter family and name.
Slowly he turned to stare down at her. From this perspective, she seemed tiny and vulnerable. He half snorted. Louise had never been vulnerable. She’d always kept up with Gordie and Nate in whatever they’d tackled.
She tipped her head up, shielding her eyes from the glare. He knew their color without seeing them. Brown and challenging. Bold and demanding.
“I need to talk to you.”
He backed down the ladder and faced her. “What can I do for you?”
“How long are you staying to visit your mother?”
He blinked. An odd question from a gal who’d made it clear three years ago that she didn’t care if he went as far north as he could ride. He’d harbored a hope she would accompany him, but she’d quickly made him understand he would do well to pin his hopes in a different direction. And he had, though it had taken a bit of effort. But now his hopes lay in getting his own ranch. His own land.
“I’m not staying long. A few days at the most. I need to get back and take care of some business.” While out riding the herd for Eddie, owner of the Eden Valley spread, Nate had come across an empty log cabin in a pretty little valley. He’d asked about it and learned it belonged to a mountain man who had once tried ranching but found he didn’t care for it. Nate hoped to catch him when he made his regular trek to town to send Christmas presents to his grown daughter. He’d learned the man only stayed long enough to visit an old friend who ran the livery barn. Nate had left a message with Rufus at the livery barn that he wanted to speak to Mountain Man Mike about buying the little ranch he had abandoned. Rufus had warned him Mike only stayed a few days. Nate couldn’t afford to miss him.
“Take us with you. Me and Missy.” The words tumbled from Louise’s mouth. She ducked her head as if it hurt her pride to make the request, then lifted her gaze to his, and he felt her demand clear to his toes. And something more he couldn’t identify and didn’t try as his heart leaped at the possibility. Then reality pointed out the facts.
“Don’t see how that’s possible. I have one horse. You’re in the family way and I’m in a hurry. I have to be back by Christmas to see a man who has a little ranch I intend to buy.”
“We could ride the stagecoach.”
He shrugged. “Fine. Go ahead. It’s none of my business who rides it.”
“It’s not that simple. I don’t want to travel alone with Missy.”
Nate leaned into his heels. Not too many years ago he would have welcomed her request and taken her with him. There was a time he’d do almost anything she asked of him and had enjoyed pleasing her, but that time was long gone. She’d made her choice. He’d moved on, started a new life elsewhere. There was no going back.
She ducked her head again and studied her fingers.
He looked at them, too. Saw they were white from her clutching them together. She was hiding something.
“What’s going on, Louise?”
“Vic.”
That’s it? Nate had never cared for the man, but it seemed the others found him...what? Certainly not charming. He had all the appeal of a snake. Nate shook his head. He had never been able to understand why Louise had hung around the man. At least not until she and Gordie had married. Then it made sense.
He hated even thinking of Louise married to Gordie. But there was no denying she’d had special feelings for Nate’s best friend. As much as it hurt, Nate had never let his romantic feelings toward Louise stand in the way of his two friends. Good thing he’d left when he did.
“What about Vic?” he asked her.
“He’s...well, he’s getting bothersome.”
“In what way?” Surely now that Gordie was dead, the man had sought out another partner to do his bidding.
She wobbled her hands in a gesture that told him nothing. “Your mother says the lady at Eden Valley Ranch welcomes people who are in need of a place to stay. All I’m asking is you accompany us there, then I promise we won’t bother you again.”
“Louise, it’s a weeklong trip. We have to stay overnight in some very tight quarters.” He waited for her to realize what he meant and knew she did when pink stained her cheeks. “It wouldn’t be appropriate for us to travel together that far, that long.” He studied her heightened color. Even heavy with child and looking weary, she was a beautiful woman.
He’d like to help her, but her plan put both Louise’s and Missy’s reputation at stake. Something he wouldn’t do. “You need to think of something better than this.”
* * *
Louise should have known better than to expect Nate to help. Years ago he’d ridden from her life just when she’d needed someone.
Turning away, she did her best to hasten off, even though her bulk turned her hurry into an awkward waddle. He’d encouraged her to come up with a better plan? She’d do exactly that. He’d suggested she buy stagecoach tickets for herself and Missy, and she would. She’d find her way to Eden Valley Ranch with or without his help.
She returned to Aunt Bea’s house where she’d taken Missy once Vic had revealed his plan to move into the Porter home. When they arrived, her aunt had inquired as to the duration of their visit.
“We won’t stay long,” Louise had soothed.
Aunt Bea’s handkerchief had fluttered vigorously, a sure sign of her displeasure. “I thought when you married that young Porter you’d moved out. Into your own home,” she’d added, as if realizing how unwelcoming she sounded.
Louise had thought so, too. In fact, about all she’d ever wanted in life was a home where she could belong. But things had changed. Vic had seen to that. Now she didn’t know what she wanted. There was only one thing she was certain of. Whatever she hoped to achieve, she would have to do it on her own. No point in thinking she could count on anyone to help.
“Can I get you some tea?” Louise asked her aunt. “Or would you like me to prepare supper?”
“You’ll be staying?” Aunt Bea’s hands fell to her lap.
“We won’t be any bother.” In fact, she’d clean the house thoroughly and bake up some goodies. Aunt Bea never seemed to get around to either anymore. Not that she ever had, preferring to spend her time reading dusty old books or knitting an endless supply of blankets, scarves and thick mittens. At least Louise had never suffered from cold hands in the winter.
Aunt Bea waved toward the kitchen. “Tea would be nice.”
Louise crossed to the door. “Missy, you can help me.”
Missy rose to her feet quickly and almost plowed over Louise in her haste to escape Aunt Bea.
Louise chuckled. “She won’t bite.”
Missy leaned forward to whisper, “She scares me half to death.”
“She isn’t half as scary as Vic.”
Missy shuddered. “What are we going to do? We can’t hide here very long. Vic knows where we are.”
“I have a plan. In the meantime, let’s make Aunt Bea some tea and then we’re going to clean this mess.” How did her aunt survive amidst all the dirty dishes and the sticky floor?
Missy hustled about, filling the kettle with water, finding the teapot and tea leaves. Perhaps she was eager to put her mind to something besides where they were going to live. “So what’s your plan?” she asked.
Louise considered what to say to her sister-in-law. If she revealed too much and Vic got hold of Missy, the girl might inadvertently say more than she should. “I need to work out a few details and then I’ll tell you.”
Missy gave her a long look. “One of these days you’ll realize I’m no longer a child.”
Louise patted her back. Missy was right. She’d turned eighteen two months ago, and was now a young woman. “I already do, but you can’t blame me for wanting to take care of you.”
Missy started sorting through the soiled dishes, preparing to wash them.
Louise waited, knowing something more troubled her.
Finally, Missy grabbed a dish towel, wiped her hands and turned to face Louise. “That house is the only home I’ve ever known.”
“I know.” There seemed no value in pointing out she’d had a home longer than Louise had ever had, as well as the surety of being wanted. The young girl had experienced loss, too, and life hadn’t been easy for her, either. “But do you think we can get Vic to leave?”
Missy shook her head, sending strands of her blond hair across her cheeks. She had always been a beautiful, almost ethereal-looking child and had matured into a young woman who drew glances wherever she went. From his first look at Missy, Vic had wanted to claim her as his own.
Why he wanted Louise defied logic. Probably just to prove he could. Seemed the man always had to get what others had. Or what they said he couldn’t have.
When it was steeped, they took the tea to Aunt Bea. There wasn’t a biscuit or cookie or even a heel of bread in the house.
“Let’s surprise Aunt Bea by making her a supper she won’t forget,” Louise said. “But first, let’s clean the kitchen.”
They washed dishes until they both had prune-like fingers.
“I’ll do the floor,” Missy insisted. “You need to take it easy.”
Louise wouldn’t admit it, but her back ached and she was weary clear through. Too weary to make her way to the stagecoach office. She sighed. Her plans would have to wait until tomorrow.
“Thank you. I’ll prepare the vegetables while you do the floor.” She sat at the table to work, grateful for a chance to rest her feet. But when her gaze went to the window and she saw Vic loitering in the alley beyond the yard, her weariness vanished. Right then and there she knew what she had to do. She wouldn’t say anything about his presence for fear of alarming the others, but she’d be sure to lock the house tightly tonight and sleep with a poker beside her bed.
* * *
After breakfast the next morning, Louise announced she had business to attend to. “Missy, you stay here and keep the doors locked.”
“Why?” Missy asked. Then, as if she realized the reason, she took a step toward the window.
Louise caught her arm and stopped her. “He’s been there a while. Don’t give him the satisfaction of letting him know we know.”
“He’ll follow you.”
“I’ve thought of that. And I have a plan. Why don’t you open the back door and toss the dishwater out. He’ll be watching you and I’ll slip out the front door. He won’t even know.” Please, God, make me invisible to him.
“Be sure and lock up after I leave.” She waited until Missy opened the back door, then slipped out the front and hurried down the street toward the heart of town, going directly to the stagecoach office.
“How do I get to Eden Valley Ranch?”
The bespectacled man behind the wicket stared at her. “Guess I’d have to know where it was before I could tell you that, ma’am.”
She racked her brain. Had Mrs. Hawkins ever said the name of the nearest town when she’d spoken of the ranch on which her son worked? Yes. It came in a flash and brought a relieved sigh. “Edendale in Alberta, Canada.”
The man tipped his nose as he studied a map on the wall to the side of the wicket. Then he brought his gaze back to her. “Well, ma’am, that’s a mighty long ways off. This here stage will take you as far as Fort Macleod, but, ma’am, it’s a long journey, especially for someone in your—” He turned so red his skin must have burned, and he didn’t finish.
“In my condition. Yes. Yes. But isn’t that up to me to decide?”
The color had begun to fade on the man’s cheeks, but again intensified.
“How much will it cost?” she asked. “And when does the stage depart?”
“I can sell you a ticket to Fort Macleod. After that, you’ll have to buy another to Edendale.” He named a sum that made Louise cringe.
“The next stage leaves tomorrow. Early.” He looked at Louise as if he thought getting up early was impossible in her condition.
“Fine. Thank you.”
She left the station and headed for the bank. Within minutes she had withdrawn enough money to buy the tickets in the morning, see them both safely to their destination and perhaps even to start a new life north of here. For a moment, her heart stalled at the idea of leaving behind the only place she’d ever felt she belonged. Perhaps she should appeal to the marshal to remove Vic from the Porter house.
Even before she finished the thought, she knew her wish was futile. Vic cared nothing for what the law demanded.
She had no choice but to proceed with her plan, and she left the bank to go back to Aunt Bea’s house. She turned the corner at the end of the block and ground to a halt as Vic stepped directly into her path.
“Thought you could get away, did ya? I wasn’t born yesterday.”
Holding in her fear, she replied evenly, “I was taking care of a few chores.”
“In the stagecoach station?” He chortled. “You thinking of taking a trip?”
She refused to answer.
“You get on that stage and I’ll follow you. I’ll bring you back. You will never get away from me. Not you nor Gordie’s sweet little sister.” He smiled benignly lest anyone be watching, but his words carried enough venom to make her skin crawl.
“I’ll tell everyone we don’t want to go with you.”
“No one will listen when I tell them yer my wife.” His eyebrows waggled in mockery.
She didn’t respond. He’d do it so convincingly, everyone would believe him and see her as a rebellious wife. Some would even cheer him for coming after her. She unconsciously pressed her hands to her belly.
His gaze followed. “Seems that kid ought to be born any day now. I got plans for it.”
“Plans?” What right did he have to make plans for her baby?
“Yup. Got a friend who knows people who will pay a lot of money for a baby.”
She staggered back as if he’d hit her. Threatening her was one thing, but threatening her baby was quite another. She began to tremble.
Giving her a smile, Vic touched the brim of his hat as if he were a mannered gentleman. “Nice talking to ya.” Anyone watching would think they’d had a friendly little chat.
They would be wrong.
