скачать книгу бесплатно
He shifted his gaze from the blankets to Louise. She chewed on her bottom lip. “You still worried about Vic? Don’t be.”
She quirked an eyebrow. “I’ll stop worrying when we reach the ranch. Maybe.”
He wouldn’t mention his conversation with Vic earlier, nor the man’s insistence about wanting Missy. She’d be safe at Eden Valley Ranch. It wouldn’t be the first time someone had come after a woman there and ended up facing more than he figured on. The whole crew would protect Missy and Louise. He’d not say that now, though. It would only give Louise reason to think she couldn’t outrun Vic.
“We’ll be on our way tomorrow.” And he’d be keeping a sharp eye out for any trouble Vic might present.
“You hungry?” she asked. “I am. I couldn’t eat after the wedding.”
“Me neither. Do you suppose that piece of cake is still there?”
She smiled. “You mean the one that indicated we would have a long marriage?”
It was good to see her relax, and he chuckled. “And many children.”
She laughed softly.
“Where’re Aunt Bea and Missy?”
“They thought we might like some privacy, so they went to bed early.” She dipped her head, then lifted her eyes. “Seems we’re the only ones who remember this.” She patted her rounded stomach. While he tried to think of an answer, she said, “I’m going to find that cake. Come on.” He followed her into the kitchen.
A piece of cake and a handful of little sandwiches were on a plate under a glass dome. She poured a glass of milk for each of them and placed the plate of food on the table.
They sat kitty-corner from each other, eating the cheese sandwiches. When they were gone, she cut the cake and they each had a piece.
She grinned at him. “Aunt Bea was really into the wedding stuff. Do you know she has my grandmother’s wedding dress in a trunk in her bedroom? I think she’s still hoping to wear it.”
“Your aunt Bea? That’s a surprise.”
“I know. But she and Pastor Manly seem to have an interest in each other.” She sobered. “I don’t suppose I’ll get to see her in a wedding dress.”
Nate hadn’t thought about all she was losing in her flight north. The home she’d known for seven years, her friends, all the memories she’d made in this place. But she had no choice. “I guess you’ll take your memories with you.”
“And my baby.”
“And Missy.”
“I haven’t forgotten.” She pushed from the table, gathered the dishes, carried them to the basin and poured hot water over them.
He saw she was about to wash them. Saw weariness in the way she moved. He sprang to his feet. “You sit and I’ll take care of the dishes.”
She opened her mouth to refuse, but he took her by the shoulders and guided her back to the table and eased her down into the chair. She let out a sigh of relief.
As he washed the few dishes and dried them, he talked to her. “We have to be at the depot at seven-thirty tomorrow morning.”
“Not a problem. We’ll be ready to go.”
He dried the last dish and hung the towel on the rack by the stove. “Is there anything you need me to do?”
Her eyebrows came up. “You mean, besides marry me?”
He tipped his head in acknowledgment. “Do you need me to bring a trunk from the attic or...” He had no idea what she might need.
“I’m packed and ready to go.” She patted his arm. “Missy and I have been on our own for a while Nate. We won’t be a nuisance. I promise.” She rested her hand on the top of her tummy bulge. “All we need is the protection of marriage so Vic can’t convince strangers I’m a runaway wife.”
“Vic won’t bother you again. I promise.” He hoped his words were not another pretend vow.
Chapter Four (#ulink_91c5f141-2255-500d-aade-3d86bb46ec58)
Louise was awake long before it was time to rise. The baby kicked as if excited about the journey. Just stay where you are for a few more days.
She lifted her head from her pillow. Did she hear a tapping at the door? A chill wove around her spine. Not Vic! She’d locked the doors solidly. But she knew that wouldn’t prove enough barrier to stop the man.
“Louise, are you awake?” Nate whispered from the other side of the bedroom door. He’d spent the night in the parlor, which should have made her sleep a lot better than it did.
Her lungs emptied in a whoosh and she rose gingerly from bed, donned a wrap and cracked the door open. “Yes?”
“I’m going to get a wagon. Lock the door after me.”
She waited until he went outside to move down the hall as fast as she could and turn the key.
Missy had begged to sleep in the room with Louise last night, saying she was afraid to be alone, afraid Vic would find her. She sat up as Louise returned to the bedroom. “Today we start our great adventures.” She lifted her hands over her head and laughed. With an ease Louise could barely remember, Missy scurried from bed and began to dress.
“Remember to wear your warmest clothes.” Although the weather had been mild, it was December and the temperatures could drop anytime.
Missy chattered as they dressed. “I’ve always wanted to see what was north of here. But more than anything, I want to get away from that vile Vic.”
“You’re about to get your wish.” Louise put the last of her things in her valise. She wouldn’t need much for the journey. Everything else was in a small trunk—baby things, some outfits for after she’d had the baby and a few mementos of her mother.
She paused a moment to let regrets at what she was about to leave waft through her, combined with wishes for what might have been if her mother had stayed.
Aunt Bea had told her the truth about Louise’s mother. Not that she died and that was why Louise and her pa were on their own, as Pa always said, but that she’d left Pa because she couldn’t stand the mining camps. Aunt Bea said she thought Ma had tried to take Louise, but Pa wouldn’t allow it. Louise thought Aunt Bea only wanted to remove the look of shock from Louise’s face. Ma had died of consumption three years after leaving them.
Louise reached into the trunk for an item.
“I have something of your mother’s,” Aunt Bea had once said, and brought out a painting of a young child. The painting she now held in her hands.
“Is that me?” Louise had fingered the frame.
Her aunt had nodded. “Your mother was a talented artist. The picture is now yours.”
“Thank you.” The painting had been her most cherished possession ever since. In it she was sure she saw love. But love had not been enough to make her mother stay. Because of that thought she’d never display the picture. For a moment she mused on a thought. What was enough to make any person stay? If not love, then what?
She’d considered the question many times and had never found an answer. Nor did she expect to today, either. She put the picture into the trunk, closed the latches, then went to the kitchen.
They ate a hurried breakfast. Aunt Bea insisted they take an abundant lunch for the journey, most of which was the remainders of meals Louise had prepared in the past two days.
A wagon rattled up to the house and Nate knocked.
She unlocked the door and stepped back to let him in.
“Where’s the luggage?” he asked.
Louise directed him to the two trunks—hers and Missy’s, and he hoisted one to his shoulder and trotted to the wagon. She and Missy carried their smaller bags. In minutes, he had both aboard and stood at the door. “Are you ready?”
Louise and Missy pulled on their warmest outer clothing. Aunt Bea pressed a gray woolen blanket into each of their arms.
“Stay safe. Let me know when you arrive.” She hugged Louise.
Tears stung Louise’s eyes. Aunt Bea had only twice before hugged her. Once when she told her about her mother and the other time when Gordie was killed.
“I’ll send a letter,” she promised Aunt Bea, then let Nate lead her to the wagon and help her aboard. He had to practically lift her.
“I’m sorry,” she said. “I’m such a size right now.”
“For better or worse,” Aunt Bea reminded them.
Louise met Nate’s gaze, as full of secret and regret as hers. He acknowledged the moment with a little nod of his head and a barely there smile before he turned to assist Missy.
They rattled down the street to the depot. He helped them alight and, with his arm around Louise’s shoulders, led them inside where it was marginally warmer than outside. It would be warmer if the door was closed, but the ticket man had it propped open.
She sat on the narrow wooden bench and Nate unfolded the blanket Aunt Bea had provided and draped it over her lap. A person could get used to being taken care of. She buried the thought. Best not get used to it. This was temporary. She must stand on her own for her sake, as well as that of her unborn child.
“Wait here,” he said. “While I take care of the wagon.” He rushed out. Seemed he was as impatient to start this journey as Missy, who wriggled on the bench beside her. Louise tried to decide what she felt. Certainly not the excitement Missy showed. Truth was, she was worried. Not so much about Vic anymore, though she’d never quite believe he was out of her life. But the baby had been more active lately. Please, God, don’t let it be born before we reach Eden Valley Ranch. Let it be a Christmas baby. But would God even hear her? Or listen if He did? So many times in the past she had felt abandoned by God, though she did her best to believe He loved her, as the Porters had so fervently taught her.
If the baby came on the trip, it would slow them down, and Nate had made it clear he wouldn’t let them hinder him from getting back to Edendale in time to see a man about buying a ranch. She drove steel into her spine. If he left them somewhere, she would simply continue the journey at her own speed.
What if the stagecoach left them, too?
She would not contemplate all the things that could go wrong.
A shadow crossed the floor. She looked up and there stood Vic leaning against the door frame.
“Going someplace?” He drawled the words.
“Away from here.” Louise’s reply carried a full dose of her dislike for the man. Away from you.
“Hear you and Nate got hitched. You figger you can tie that cowboy down, do ya?”
She figured no such thing. “I fail to see how that’s any of your business.”
The man behind the ticket wicket watched them. The room was small enough he could hear every word. She didn’t care. She and Nate were legally married. That’s all anyone had to know.
Vic strode over and sat beside Missy.
Louise moved down the bench so Missy could put space between herself and Vic. He simply moved down until Louise balanced on the end.
The ticket man cleared his throat.
Vic ignored the subtle warning. “Missy, you don’t have to go with Louise.”
“I’m going because I want to.”
Louise had to give the girl credit. She never let on how much Vic frightened her.
“You sure? Hear it’s real primitive up there. No decent town for miles. Mostly Indians and buffalo roaming about. You might get tired of nobody who can show you a good time.” He pushed closer to Missy.
Louise pushed back to keep from being bumped to the floor.
The ticket man cleared his throat most loudly. “Ladies, is this man bothering you?”
As if that wasn’t obvious. But Vic had a reputation throughout the town, and Louise didn’t blame the ticket man for being cautious.
Vic scowled at the poor man. “This ain’t none of yer business.”
“It is mine.” Nate blasted through the door, yanked Vic to his feet and rushed him outside.
Vic fought to free himself from Nate’s hold as he scrambled to keep his feet under him.
Nate shoved him from the building and released him on the sidewalk.
Vic splayed his arms to stay upright.
“Leave my wife and sister-in-law alone. You hear?” Nate stood tall, his fists on his hips, and glowered at Vic, who picked up his hat and dusted it off before smashing it back on his head.
“You done made a mistake.” He stalked away.
Louise didn’t know whether to be shocked at Nate’s actions or amused at Vic’s blustering.
Missy chuckled. “Someone should have warned Vic not to mess with Nate. He never did take kindly to unfairness.”
Louise let those words simmer in her brain. She’d forgotten how Nate sprang to the defense of others.
The ticket man stared at Louise.
“That’s right,” she said calmly. “Nate and I are married now.” She felt a sense of pride in saying those words, even if it was only pretend.
She could hear the man gasp clear across the room.
The stagecoach rattled to a stop and Nate helped put the trunks on top.
Louise pushed to her feet and followed Missy, who practically danced out to the sidewalk.
Louise made it as far as the door and stopped. It was too late to change her mind. She’d burned her bridges yesterday when she married Nate. The baby kicked her hard as if to remind her that she had no choice. Vic was too dangerous. Yet she couldn’t make her feet move. She didn’t like change. Going meant leaving...leaving her life, her friends. She glanced to the right and left. None of her friends had come to bid her farewell. But then, they didn’t know she was leaving. Any more than they knew she was married again.
Nate stood in front of her, his expression quietly concerned. He touched her arm. “Is something wrong?”
His touch, his words, filled her with strength and resolve. “Everything is fine. I was just saying a mental goodbye.”
