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Her insides rolled and tossed.
She breathed deeply, determined she would not be sick in public.
How was she to get away? How was she to make sure he didn’t follow her and bring her back as his “wife”?
She could think of one thing that would stop Vic. Now all she had to do was make Nate see the reasonableness of it.
* * *
Nate remained in the alley. Vic and Louise hadn’t seen him and he didn’t want them to. Especially Vic.
His opinion of the man had never been a secret and it had been reinforced yet again. The man was a danger to all decent folk.
Nate had been close enough to see the expression on both Vic’s and Louise’s faces, and to overhear enough words to know Vic had threatened her, then threatened to sell her baby. His fists balled. This must surely be the reason for her wanting to leave. It explained why she’d used but one word to explain her fear—Vic.
Nate turned back toward his mother’s house, having completely forgotten the errand that brought him into town.
Still seething, he burst into the house. But he jerked to a stop when he saw who was there.
“Louise?” She sat at the table facing his ma. “What are you doing here?”
Ma tsked. “I’m sure you don’t mean to sound so unwelcoming. She said she wanted to talk to you.”
Louise nodded. “There’s something I want to say.”
Ma got to her feet. “I’ll leave you two to deal with whatever it is that’s bothering the both of you.” She made for the door. “It’s hard to believe that you were once eager to spend time together.” The door closed behind her, shutting out her words and her opinion.
Nate sank to the chair she’d vacated. Ma was right. There had been such a time. “Things change,” he said. He had no desire to go back.
Louise liked to cling to what had once been, but wouldn’t she soon have a baby? Didn’t that mean she had to plan for the future?
He was about to say he’d seen her with Vic, when she leaned forward and started to talk.
“I want to leave. Go to Eden Valley Ranch.”
He nodded. Would have said he thought it a good idea but she didn’t give him an opportunity.
“I obviously can’t ride a horse all that way. In my condition. I can buy us tickets on the stagecoach,” she said. “I already made inquiries.”
“Good.”
“But—” Her head jerked up and her fierce gaze left him speechless. She had something in mind and she meant to get it done. She lowered her gaze, enabling him to release his breath. She studied the top of the table. “If Missy and I try to go alone, I fear Vic will stop us.” She lifted her head, her eyes this time filled with what he could only say was a mixture of sorrow and fear. She shuddered.
He knew she had every right to be afraid of Vic. The man would stop at nothing to get what he wanted. He wished he could offer her escape, but he didn’t see how he could.
“What I need,” she continued, her voice strong and steady, “is a man to protect us.”
He knew from the look in her eyes she meant him. But they’d already had this discussion. Accompanying her would get her away from Vic, but it would ruin both the women’s reputations. Even a widow’s expecting a child.
He wished he could protect Missy and Louise. But what could he do?
“Louise, I’ve already told you I can’t—”
She cut him off with a wave of her hand. “I have the perfect solution.” She straightened in the chair and drew in a long breath. “You and I can get married.”
“Married?” No other word came to his mind.
“Marry me and take us to Eden Valley Ranch.”
“Marry?” Still he was capable of saying nothing else.
Her eyes narrowed. “This is the Porters’ grandchild. Gordie’s child. Doesn’t that mean anything to you? After all they did for us? They gave us a family when our own were too busy.”
She was right, but he needed to see Mountain Mike and buy his ranch. The thought of his land seemed to ground him and allowed him to think sanely again. “But the place I’m looking to buy has only a tiny cabin. Only big enough for a man. Not two women and a baby.” Then again, if a man and a woman loved each other, the small quarters wouldn’t be a problem. A persistent hope sprang to his mind.
“I’m only suggesting a pretend marriage until we get there. Then we can have it annulled.” She widened her eyes as tears glistened in them.
A pretend marriage? Was such a thing possible?
“Must you look so shocked? Am I so unappealing?”
He managed to shake his head. Seemed the power of speech had abandoned him again. Then, seeing how she struggled to keep the pooling tears from overflowing, he started to reach for her hands. He stopped himself because he had no right. “Marriage isn’t like buying a ticket for the stagecoach. It’s a lifetime commitment.”
Her eyes pinned him with dark fierceness. “Only real marriages are forever. You don’t love me. I don’t love you. We both know it’s not for real.”
Her words scraped through his insides. A person couldn’t be much clearer than that about their feelings. Even knowing she was only asking to use him, he considered her request. Marriage gave him the right to tell Vic to leave Louise and Missy alone. He could protect her, get her to safety.
He nodded. “Very well. Let’s get married.”
She blinked and then blinked again. “Really?”
“You heard me.”
She sprang to her feet and rushed to his side to hug him. “Thank you. Thank you. You will not regret this. I promise.”
He hoped not. But already doubts had sprung from the corners of his mind. How could he pretend to do something that, a long time ago, he’d dreamed of?
Chapter Two (#ulink_d2ee7f35-8643-5c10-bc0a-545619294003)
Louise returned to her chair and studied Nate. He’d said yes without much of an argument. Why was he so agreeable? But she wasn’t about to guess at his reasons so long as he got them safely to their destination.
A fear clawed at her brain. He was in a hurry. Would he escort them all the way or leave them in some little way station to fend for themselves? After all, he was good at leaving. Seemed all the important men in her life were. Though Pa had made her be the one to leave, and Gordie and his parents had died. Each case was different, yet in her heart she viewed them the same. She’d been left before, so it wouldn’t surprise her if it happened again. Best she could do was be prepared for it.
She pressed her palms to her stomach. The funds she had would not last long and she’d have a new baby to care for besides watching over Missy. Resolve flooded her being. She could and would take care of herself. Had been since she could remember. Pa had expected it. When it got too much for him, he’d shipped her off to Aunt Bea, who likewise made it clear she didn’t care to bother with Louise. Only while the Porter parents lived had she found the sort of welcome she longed for. But Eden Valley Ranch promised refuge while she sorted her life out and decided what to do next.
Would she be refused refuge at the ranch for making a mockery of the wedding vows?
Please, God, just let us get away from Vic, then I’ll manage somehow. With or without Nate. Doubt again tugged at her heart. Would God refuse to help her because she meant to be untruthful about the wedding vows? As always, when doubts flared, she reminded herself of all that the Porters had taught her about God’s love and faithfulness. Surely God would understand, given the circumstances.
She realized she still gawked at him. “What now?” she asked.
He laughed, his blue eyes flashing with amusement. “This was your idea. Shouldn’t you be the one with things figured out?” Their gazes locked, just as their futures were soon to be bound together for a short time.
She jerked her attention to a worn spot on the table. “It’s a rather new idea and I hadn’t given the particulars much thought.” She paused a moment. “The stage leaves tomorrow.” After another hesitant beat, she added, “Early.”
“Then I suggest you get on with your wedding plans.” His eyes still twinkled.
“I think you’re enjoying my discomfort.”
He sobered. “No. But you must admit, it is a little amusing. A spur-of-the-moment wedding. The bride—” His gaze darted to her belly and he chuckled. “Some would think this is a shotgun wedding.”
Heat rushed up her neck, but she would not turn from giving him a steady look. “It’s Gordie’s baby. I don’t expect you to take care of it.”
His smile turned into a scowl. “Of course.” His gaze went beyond her and grew distant.
She wondered what he was seeing. Maybe someday she’d feel comfortable enough to ask. Right now all that mattered was he’d given his word and they were to be married. All she wanted from this relationship was to get away from Vic and gain safety for herself, her baby and Missy.
She didn’t expect anything more from him.
Nate got to his feet. “Seems we have a wedding to arrange. Why don’t I take you to Aunt Bea’s and you can tell her your plans.” He held out a hand to help her to her feet.
She might have refused, but it was getting harder and harder to get up gracefully.
He squinted at her. “When is this baby due?”
She understood the question he meant to ask. Was she going to deliver on the journey? Please, God, let me go a little longer. One week until they reached their destination. One week of pretend marriage and then the joy of her little son or daughter. She couldn’t think of a better Christmas present.
To Nate she gave a dismissive shrug. “Not for a while.”
His eyebrows rose. Then he let the subject go and opened the door his mother had closed a short time ago. “Ma, I’m taking Louise home. I’ll be back in a bit.”
They left the house and went to Aunt Bea’s house, pausing outside the door.
“I’ll wait until you inform her, then take you to your house,” Nate said.
“That won’t be necessary. Missy and I took what we needed when we left yesterday.”
He caught her shoulder and brought her around to face him. “You’ve left your house? Why?”
“Because Vic moved in.” The words were soft, disguising the anger that burned through her at being forced from her own home.
Nate dropped his hand from her shoulder and pushed a fist into his palm. “The louse.”
“Snake,” she corrected. “He’s a slithering snake.”
“You won’t have to worry about him much longer. Marriage will protect you. Listen, it’s best if no one knows it’s only pretend. Vic might see that as an opportunity.”
“Agreed.”
“Let’s go tell your aunt.”
She knocked. “I told Missy to bar the door when I left.”
Nate’s fists balled at his sides. “That will end before the day is out. He won’t bother you any longer.”
Good to know. Whatever lay ahead of sorrow or joy, she would at least be free of Vic.
Missy opened the door and Louise slipped in with Nate at her side. She welcomed his support. “I have good news,” she said, including Aunt Bea, who sat in her customary upholstered chair. “Nate and I are getting married.” Before either of the women could speak, she rushed on. “Missy and I will go north with him.”
“We’ll be safe?” Missy asked.
“We’ll be safe.” Louise patted Missy’s arm as the girl let out a long gust of air.
“Well, I hate to see you go.” Aunt Bea sounded as if it couldn’t be too soon to suit her. “When are you planning to marry him?”
“Today.” At the stunned look on Missy’s face, she choked back a giggle. Aunt Bea’s eyes widened. Louise tried to think if she’d ever surprised her aunt before.
If so, she couldn’t remember it.
Aunt Bea managed to get to her feet in record time. “Today? There is much to do to get ready.”
Louise could think of nothing except the need to sign a document. But if Aunt Bea, with her unbending opinions of proper conduct, knew it was to be a temporary marriage, she would likely raise enough objections to create a stir, maybe even persuade the preacher to refuse to marry them.
“I’ll go see to the details,” Nate said. “Lock up behind me.” He hurried out the door.
Louise turned the key, then faced Aunt Bea. “Tell me what I need to do.”
* * *
Nate stood outside until he heard the key turn, then tested the knob. The lock held and he strode away as fast as his legs would take him. His insides burned with fury.
Vic had moved into the Porter house? Seemed he thought he owned the house and the family. Well, the family would be leaving. The family would say goodbye to their home and learn, as he had, that nothing lasts.
Not even marriage, it seemed. What they planned was only pretend. A convenience. He pushed aside the guilt stinging his thoughts.
So far as he could tell, nothing was forever, but at least he could get Missy and Louise and Gordie’s unborn baby away from Vic.
He stepped into Ma’s house. She stood at the stove, tending a pot of something that smelled mighty fine. “Making soup?”
“Cream of potato. Thought I’d make your favorite while you’re here.”
“Ma, sit down. I need to talk to you.”
She pushed the pot to the side of the stove and pulled out a chair to sit. “That sounds like a warning.”
He didn’t know what he’d call it. Nor how to explain what he meant to do except to come right out and say it. “Ma, Louise and I are getting married.”
“Good.” She patted his hand. “I’ve always thought you two were suited to each other.”
