The train halted in a blast of steam and screech of brakes. Soon, several passengers disembarked amid a flurry of well-wishers congregated on the platform, eager to welcome them home. Adam watched in shock as two gentlemen, dressed in suits and bowlers, escorted a shackled man he’d never seen before off the train. The prisoner’s soiled white shirt and tattered suit suggested the man had seen better days. And he sported a bruised face and one black eye. Adam wondered if the fellow had been in a fight with someone or if there’d been a bit of resistance to being arrested.
Leonard and Willow appeared at Adam’s elbow.
“Do you see what I see?” Leonard blurted.
Handcuffed and shackled at the ankles, the man shuffled along the platform.
Adam glanced at his former employee. “Who is he?”
“The fellow we’d considered our Uncle Clarence,” Willow whispered.
“Are you serious?” Adam blurted. He moved forward at the same time as Daniel brushed by him and approached the men.
Greetings were exchanged between the three Pinkerton agents who appeared well-acquainted with each other. Adam caught himself gawking at the man who’d created so much pain and unpleasantness in the lives of Willow and her brother. Calling on every bit of restraint possible, Adam prevented himself from rushing over and strangling the scoundrel.
“Finally received what you’ve got coming,” Leonard shouted. “You miserable excuse for a man.”
Pearson’s head whipped up and he scowled at Leonard and Willow when he spotted them standing on the platform. He spoke to one of the Pinkertons, but Adam couldn’t distinguish his words.
“I hope you rot in jail,” Willow added in a raised voice. “The way you treated the ranch hands. And the horrible handling of our beautiful Thoroughbreds. Stealing the ranch from Leonard with that lawyer’s help. You should be shot for everything you did.”
“I was shot,” Pearson countered, glaring at them.
Adam rushed forward and he grabbed Pearson by his tattered suit jacket. “Too bad he missed any vital organs.”
“That’s enough,” one of the Pinkertons warned Adam.
“You’ll get yourself arrested. He’s not worth it,” Daniel said and pulled his brother away from Pearson. “Let the judge handle him.”
“You’re coming with us.” The other Pinkertons grabbed Pearson by the arms and hustled him away, amid a flurry of muted conversation among those witnessing the encounter. Bystanders stepped aside to allow the agents to remove the man from their presence.
Leonard walked his sister down the platform a ways and settled her onto a bench seat while Adam stared at her. Wondering if he should inquire if she was all right. Or should he just wait to board the train?
Now that the excitement caused by Pearson’s unexpected arrival had waned, Adam decided on the latter and found himself standing alone on the platform, waiting to climb aboard and begin the first leg of the journey back to Montana.
Without Willow.
“You realize you’re a damn fool,” Leonard muttered close by.
Adam glanced in his direction; he hadn’t noticed him return to his side. “You’re probably right. But Willow made her decision and I refuse to stand in her way.”
“Does she know how you feel about her?”
“Of course she does. I’ve told her how much I care for her,” Adam blustered. Daniel and Sawyer had already boarded. What was he waiting for? Delaying the inevitable wouldn’t change anything.
“Then I don’t understand any of this. Willow loves you so much. Why would she remain in Texas?”
Adam shook his head at the man he’d hoped would be his brother-in-law one day. But that wasn’t happening now. “You’re wrong. Whatever feelings she may have had for me, she clearly loves Texas and the Circle H more.”
“Cow patties she does. She loved working on the Double M. And say what you want, I know she loves you.”
“I love her, too, but she’s made it clear to me that she’s staying in Texas.” Adam stuck out his hand. “Everything worked out so well for you. And for Willow. Drop us a line once in a while. I would love to hear how you’re doing with the Circle H.”
“Thanks, Adam.” Leonard shook his hand. “That letter writing works both ways. Let me know how the Double M is doing, and say hello to the ranch hands for me. Made some good friends while I worked on your ranch. I’d hoped to return for Sawyer and Amanda’s wedding, but I doubt they’ll wait too long.”
“I imagine he’ll scoop up my sister and have her in front of a preacher hours after we return.” Adam chuckled. “The man has it bad. Been wandering around looking like a lovesick old billy goat the entire time we’ve been here.”
Leonard grinned. “There’s a little gal in Cactus Plains that I was courting before all this mess happened. I’m hoping she hasn’t found another fellow in the months I’ve been away. I hope to resume courting her now that the situation on the ranch has sorted itself out.”
Adam slapped him on the back. “You deserve all the happiness in the world.”
“Thank you. So do you. And you’d have it with my sister if you weren’t so upstanding and gentlemanly.” Leonard poked him in the chest and glanced at his sister seated on a nearby bench. “Go over there and sweep her off her feet. Climb onto that train with her in your arms and demand she return home with you.”
Adam shook his head. “I would have married her in a heartbeat if she’d agreed to return to Montana. But it’s not what she wants, and I would never force a decision on a woman for my benefit alone.”
Leonard chuckled. “Too much a gentleman for your own good.”
“Keep in touch. And good luck with that little gal of yours,” Adam called as he climbed aboard the train. He paused on the steps and glanced over at Willow, sitting on a nearby bench beside Mrs. Griffith. He’d said his goodbyes to both of them. There weren’t any loose ends he hadn’t tied up.
Adam slumped into his seat on the train. The journey home would be endless. Maybe he should stay in Texas also? Not possible; Jackson needed his help on the ranch. He couldn’t let his family down.
A moment later, a middle-aged woman bustled down the aisle and seated herself beside him. Adam hadn’t noticed the train filling. He’d hoped to have the seat to himself to wallow alone in his misery, but the passenger car had almost reached full capacity.
“My, you’re looking decidedly unhappy,” the woman observed; a cloud of rose-scented fragrance surrounded her and wafted to Adam’s nose. “I watched you staring at your lovely lady, saying your goodbyes. Missing your wife already?”
Adam frowned at the woman, concerned the journey would be made worse if she was the chatty, busybody type. “She… she’s not my wife.”
“Well, she’s crying like a wife,” the woman muttered.
Adam almost crushed his nose against the window in his eagerness, staring at the bench outside the station. Willow sat, body shaking and shoulders heaving with each sob. What the heck? “Why is she crying?” he exclaimed aloud.
The woman sat, a righteous expression on her face. “Only one reason a young lady cries so hard. She’ll miss the man she loves.”
“But.. but…”
“Do you love her?”
Adam glared at the woman. “Of course I love her. With all my heart.”
“Then what are you doing on this train? You two should be together.” The woman shook her head. “Young folk. Don’t have the good sense God gave a goose.”
Adam sat stunned. Was the woman right? Was Willow regretting her decision? And if she loved him so much why had she come to the decision to remain in Texas? Suddenly, the train lurched forward. Adam’s view of the town moved past the window as the engine slowly picked up speed.
Could he leave Willow behind?
Did she truly love him?
He had a decision to make, one way or the other, and he needed to make it now!
* * *
Willow couldn’t catch her breath. And confronting the despicable C
larence Pearson hadn’t a thing to do with it. She’d never cried so hard since the passing of her beloved father. And now she faced another devastating loss.
One she wouldn’t recover from any time soon.
Maybe never.
“I should have… returned to Montana… with Adam. Even… even if he… doesn’t love me,” Willow lamented. Could she face every day without seeing him? Talking to him?
Mrs. Griffith patted her hand and dug a handkerchief out of her reticule. “My poor girl. Why didn’t you tell Adam how you felt?”
“I… I thought he… he would know.” Willow reached for the handkerchief. “Thank… you.”
“Girl, men aren’t like us womenfolk. They don’t pay attention to emotions and the like. They wouldn’t recognize love if it tapped them on the shoulder.”
Willow sobbed. “It wouldn’t…have mattered what I said. He… he doesn’t love me.”
“I think you’re wrong. I’ve seen how he looks at you.”
“Adam told me… he wouldn’t stand… in my way… if I wanted to stay,” Willow stammered between sobs. “If he loved me… he would have insisted I return to Montana with him.”
“Just because he refused to stand in your way doesn’t mean he don’t love you. It’s called making a sacrifice.” Mrs. Griffith huffed and shook her head. “You should have spelled it out for him. Adam, I’m in love with you.”
Adam dropped his suitcase on the grass and proceeded toward the bench. “I’m fond of you also, Mrs. Griffith, but there’s only one woman I’m in love with.” He crouched down beside the bench.
Willow gasped and raised her head, staring into the crystal blue eyes of the man she loved more than anyone. “What are… what are you doing? You should be on the train.”
“I forgot something. I decided to leave in a few days instead,” Adam explained.
“We could have shipped it to you,” Willow reasoned.
“The something I forgot was you.” Adam rose to his feet, reaching for her hand and pulling her up beside him. “I saw you crying. A wise woman told me no young lady cries like that unless she’s in love.”
Willow shivered. Did her feelings for him show? “I… I do love you. More than I can say.”
“And I love you, too.” Adam shook his head. “I should have told you. Many times. Every day. Until there wasn’t one iota of doubt in your mind.”
“You… you love me?” she whispered.
“I’ve loved you since the day I rescued you from that horse thief.” Adam wrapped her in his arms. “I couldn’t love you more. And I want you to return to Montana with me. I want you by my side for the rest of my life.”
Willow’s vision blurred with tears. Did Adam truly feel the same way about her? Did he truly love her? In a forever and ever kind of way?
Adam stepped out their embrace and dropped to his knee. “I haven’t practiced this much, so I might make a flub. Willow, you are the love of my life. I couldn’t love you more and I want you to be my wife and the mother of my children. Willow Harrison, will you marry me?”
Willow’s hand covered her mouth and she couldn’t breathe for a moment. “Yes… yes, I’ll marry you.”
Mrs. Griffith clasped her hands together. “Now I’m going to cry,” she whispered.
Leonard stepped up to them, standing hands on hips. “I leave for a couple of minutes to fetch the carriage and this happens,” he teased. “About time you two figured it out.”
“I couldn’t be happier for both of you,” Mrs. Griffith exclaimed, smiling at them.
“Thank you,” Willow whispered. “I… I can hardly believe it.”
“Believe it, sweetheart.” Adam wrapped his arm around her. “I’m never leaving you alone again. And we’ll be returning home to Montana together.”
Suddenly, a man rushed up to them, breathing heavily and stammering, “You need to come with me now.” He waved at Adam and Willow.
“Us?” Adam blurted.
The man nodded. “Some fellow on the train demanded the train stop and wait for you.”
Leonard gaped. “Who would stop a train?”
“I don’t know his name. But he claimed he’s a Pinkerton agent and he—”
Everyone burst into laughter.
“Daniel,” Adam whispered.
“They’re holding the train for us?” Willow blurted, feeling her face reddening.
“Yes, ma’am, and I suggest you hurry. Some of the passengers were muttering, sounding a mite put out by the delay.” The man raced back toward the train waiting several yards ahead of them.
“I can’t leave right now,” Willow blurted, staring at her brother. She’d been so preoccupied with what Adam had told her, she hadn’t heard the train braking or stopping.
“Oh, yes you can, sis.” Leonard hugged his sister and winked at Adam. “If there’s something you’ve left behind, I’ll bring it when I come for the wedding.”
“Anything you need, we’ll buy on the first stop on our way to Montana,” Adam offered.
“I’ll arrange for your money to be transferred to the First National Bank in Milestone.” Leonard took a step back. “I promised to write Adam. Sis, I might even drop you a line or two also.”
She chuckled. “Knowing how you love writing letters, I won’t expect to hear from you too often. But I know Mrs. Griffith will keep us informed about what’s happening on the ranch.”
The housekeeper hugged her tightly. “I most certainly will. I might even accompany Leonard to Montana to see you wed.”
Willow gasped. “That would be wonderful.” She’d considered Mrs. Griffith a wonderful substitute since her mother’s passing and having the kind-hearted lady watch her exchange vows with Adam would be a dream come true.
“Let’s go before that train leaves without us.” Adam guided Willow toward the train.
“Goodbye, everyone,” Willow called. “I promise to write. We’ll telegraph when we set a wedding date.”
A few minutes later, Willow and Adam settled into seats across from Daniel and Sawyer seconds before the train jolted forward and their journey home began.
Willow gazed into the eyes of the man she loved. She couldn’t recall a time in her life when she’d felt more dazed or more content. Everything would turn out perfectly. She felt it in her bones. She was betrothed to the man she loved and they were headed home to plan their nuptials and begin their lives together. Everything in her brother’s life had been sorted out.
For the first time in years, she could relax and enjoy herself. Nothing could spoil this moment, and she would remember it forever.
Chapter 33
Milestone
In the stifling summer heat on the Double M Ranch, Lily couldn’t blame her wee son for refusing to sleep in the upstairs bedroom designated as his nursery. He’d cried until he’d gotten himself into such a lather, she brought him out to the shadiest spot in the back yard. She rocked gently in the huge double swing while the baby lay beside her sleeping soundly. The quiet, rhythmic squeak of dry wood and metal chains may have helped to lull the cranky little boy off to dreamland.
Daniel and Adam should return home from Milestone soon, and she prayed there would be a letter from Willow. No one had heard from any of the McLennon sons or their friends except for a brief telegraph several weeks ago.
Situation resolved. A few loose ends to tie up. Returning home soon. Adam.
She understood the need for brevity in a telegraph, but the lack of information frustrated her. She almost wished he hadn’t sent the message which only sent a million questions racing through her mind. Resolved? How? In their favor? Jackson told her Leonard had been given permanent ownership of the ranch. Was there something else to be resolved? Loose ends? What did that mean? Images of a sloppily tied rope with frayed end pieces popped into her mind. Goodness, she’d been living on this ranch so long, she’d started thinking like a true Montana wife. She chuckled quietly at that notion. Home soon? Soon could be a couple days or a couple weeks. She’d never
survive the waiting. And had Willow agreed to return to Montana? She wanted her friend and brothers-in-law home now.
The sound of a conveyance rumbling up the drive to the ranch house caught her attention and a moment later Floyd started barking. Edward stirred and she carefully picked up her two-month-old son. “Do you suppose your uncles are home?” she whispered to the infant who immediately drifted back to sleep. Last Sunday, Mrs. Cochrane from the general store had mentioned dropping by the ranch one day this week. Perhaps she’d chosen today to visit.
Lily settled Edward in his bassinet and lugged it to the veranda, leaving him sleeping while she hurried around to the front of the house. She squealed and rushed toward her friend when she saw Willow disembarking from the buggy.
“You’re home!” she exclaimed.
Willow turned and her eyes filled with tears. “Lily! I cannot tell you how much I’ve missed you.”
Lily burst into tears. “It’s so good to have you back here.”
“If you two are so dad-blamed delighted to see each other then why are you crying?” Adam shook his head, shuffling toward the ranch house with his arms laden with traveling bags.
“Because we’re happy,” Willow muttered.
Lily agreed no other explanation was required. “Come inside and I’ll make tea. You must tell me everything.”
Willow chuckled. “Do you have a week to spare? It might take that long.”
Mrs. Sheridan hurried down the stairs, hand clasped to the handrail to prevent a spill in her haste. “Willow! Oh, my, you’re a sight for these old eyes. How are you?”
Willow burst into tears. “Mrs. Sheridan! Oh, it’s so good to see you.”
Soon, the three women were hugging each other and blubbering their greetings. Lily remembered her son sleeping in the backyard. Of course, nothing would bother him now that he’d fallen asleep in the warm breeze. Still, she should check on him.
“Mrs. Sheridan, the house is stifling. We’d love some tea in the back yard, please.” Lily grabbed her friend by the arm. “I want to show Willow how much Edward has grown. He’s giving the weeds in the garden some competition,” she said with a chuckle.
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