“Thought you should know about it. There’s a storm brewing with no rain in sight.” Gabe nodded, urging his horse into a walk.
Logan opened and closed his mouth. He had no words. His fingers clenched the reins and the bay crow-hopped under the sudden pressure. Was Rose a runaway witness? Why didn’t she tell him last night when he’d been spilling his guts out? Or even this morning when he’d suggested changing the conditions of their marriage contract? He’d thought all the lies were out in the open, evidently not.
“I have to go back to the house, Gabe,” Logan called out, staring straight into the sun. His heart pounded in his chest with fear. Fear that he may lose the woman who held him in the palm of her hand. “Rose has a right to tell her side of the story. She’s a witness, not a murderer for heaven’s sake. She has her reasons for running away, and I’ll bet money it’s a damn good one. She’s not the type to commit a crime, I know that.”
“She does and she will, but not until tomorrow. Johnny Barker will look after her until we get back. I spoke with Etta May, she’s prepared a room for both Rose and Lilly to stay in until we get back.” Gabe looked over at Logan, his eyes reflecting the same concern that ran through him. “If there’s someone on her trail, she’d be better off in town, close to people who can protect her.”
“She’ll probably refuse.” Logan smiled, a small surge of pride for his foolish wife. “Rose won’t take kindly being watched over like a child by Etta May or Johnny. I’m not sayin’ she wouldn’t be grateful for the gesture, just not happy about it.”
“That’s what I figured. Johnny will be keeping an eye on your family without being obvious until you ride in.” Gabe spurred his horse and rode to catch up to Sam and Charlie.
Logan’s mind spun as he watched the deputy marshal ride off. Gabe was right, they had rustlers to check on, maybe bring in along with any cattle they might find.
Rose wasn’t in harm’s way, yet. The telegraph didn’t indicate she was in immediate danger—not from the law in Wisconsin. No, the only danger she was in would be from Logan.
Once he got back, Mrs. Rose Granger had a lot of explaining to do.
Rose stood next to the horse hitched to the buckboard, hands on her hips. “I hope you know what you’re doin’, big guy, because I certainly don’t.”
Hiking her skirt up, she stepped up into the wagon. Taking the reins in hand, she settled down onto the seat every nerve in her body on fire. One ear of the horse cocked back at her, waiting for a command from her trembling fingers.
“Get me to town and back, and you’ll have a big juicy apple added to your grain tonight.” Rose clucked the way she’d heard Logan do, then gave the reins a quick jerk. The sorrel turned its head, looking at her with a big soft dark eye.
“I promise, really I do.” Rose sucked in a breath, clucked once more, then gave the reins a harder snap this time.
The sorrel stepped out, the buckboard lurched forward, jostling Rose sideways. Shaking in her boots, Rose quickly righted herself and drew in another deep breath releasing it slow and easy. “Well, that wasn’t so difficult after all.”
Rose bounced slightly on the seat of the buckboard; dust rose up around the horse’s legs with each footfall. The wooden wheels creaked a sad and sorrowful tune that matched her mood.
“I should have been truthful with Logan before he rode out this morning with Deputy Marshal Hawkins. He has every right to know he married a deceitful woman before the new marriage contract is drawn up.”
Rose kept her eyes straight ahead. Lost in thought, she relied on the horse to know the way into Dodge City. She hadn’t paid much attention when Logan was driving, she was too busy watching him. Admiring the way he handled the team of horses. The way his muscles flexed under rolled up sleeves. The way he made her feel inside the secret place every woman has. Over the past few days, she’d unexpectedly come to care for both Logan and Lilly.
She hadn’t meant to, but she had. And now Logan had ridden off into possible danger not knowing who she really was. Rose wasn’t Abigail Johnson, matronly woman who only agreed to take care of his household and Lilly because she wanted adventure in her life.
She wanted to be Roseanne Granger, a woman who truly yearned to feel Logan next to her at night. To do all the things a wife and husband do when the house is still and quiet.
Instead, she was Roseanne Duncan, a woman running from a man she’d seen kill his wife. Running from a man who had the ability to ruin her. Rose was the coward who couldn’t stand up for a woman sent to the grave far too early in her life.
Logan didn’t know that his wife, unlawful at that, was probably being hunted by the authorities. He didn’t know his marriage was made of deceit.
Yet, hadn’t she allowed it to happen with her lies the moment she’d accepted Abby’s proposal?
The sound of a rider snapped her out of her thoughts. Rose focused on the figure coming out of a cloud of dust. One of Gabe’s deputies appeared, slowing his black and white horse to a walk. Johnny Barker reined in alongside the buckboard, tipping his hat.
“Mrs. Granger, I was thinking since the deputy marshal and your husband are out chasing rustlers, you might need a hand.”
Rose smiled, shading her eyes from the late morning sun. “Deputy Barker, I’d be pleased to have your company into town if that’s what you’re offering.”
“Yes, ma’am. I’d be right obliged to put up that gelding and buckboard for yer also if you don’t mind.” Johnny offered, staying close to her. Rose guessed him to be about twenty-five or so, with dark hair dusting his collar. There was a gentleness about his face that soothed her.
They rode in peaceful silence for the next mile. Dodge City rose up ahead, the outline of the buildings visible through the sun. The livery stood off to the west of town; she looked over at Johnny.
“You’re doing right fine Mrs. Granger. Right fine for a city lady.” Johnny beamed at her and the tension of the morning lessened. “Rein him to the left and then straight to Wilson’s. I’ll put him up until you and Miss Lilly are ready to return home. I’ll be at the sheriff’s office doin’ paperwork.”
Rose nodded, doing as he instructed she rounded the corner, heading straight for Wilson’s. “Whoa.” The command was soft and calm. Rose pulled the wagon to a stop, then tied the reins off and allowed Johnny to give her a hand down.
“Thank you. I hope you’ll come by for supper tonight, Johnny Barker.” Rose smiled, then turned toward the center of town.
Rose strolled over to Etta May’s. Her heart felt a bit lighter knowing she’d be picking up Lilly. They’d shop for the items on the list Rose had written up, go back to Etta May’s for ice cream before heading back home for chores and supper. Just because Logan was gone didn’t mean she could ignore the chores, besides she’d promised the sorrel an apple.
She walked through the door of the eatery expecting to find Etta May and Lilly. Instead, Montana Sue sat at a table in the corner, drumming her painted fingers on the polished wood.
“Where’s Lilly?” Rose asked looking around the restaurant, her stomach rolling in anticipation. She didn’t like Montana Sue being here waiting for her like a hawk waiting for its next meal. It meant she intended to interfere, or at least try to.
“You took your time gettin’ here seein’ Gabe left hours ago. I figured he’d return with you and Logan behind him. Guess I was wrong.” Montana Sue snickered, her eyes filled with dark hatred. “She’s in the kitchen with Etta May helpin’ with tonight’s supper.”
Rose smiled as gratefully as she could to a queen bee in a hive. “Thank you, I’ll go collect her now.”
Montana Sue stood, her hands on her hips and skirts rustling along the floorboards as she came toward Rose. “Do you really think that’s best for poor Lilly, you bein’ a fugitive and all?”
Rose froze. Her legs unable to carry her to the kitchen where Lilly waited. “I haven’t the slightest idea what you think you may know, Montana Sue, but I can tell you it’s not what y
ou think.”
Montana Sue laughed, then glared at Rose. “No? Well the way I see it, you’ve married a man under false pretenses. Gone into his home. Moseyed on up to him and that sweet little girl of his, all the while the two of them thinking you’re an angel from above.” Montana Sue snorted then crossed her arms, staring icily at Rose. “We both know that’s a lie, don’t we Roseanne Duncan?”
Fingers sprayed across her breastbone, Rose swallowed the hard lump in her throat. She took several steps forward until she was inches from Montana Sue. “You don’t have any proof of anything. If you did, you’d know the truth.” Rose spun on her heel fisted hands at her side, then she stopped after a few steps. Looking over her shoulder, she met Montana Sue’s cold glare head on. “You’ll never have Logan for your own; he doesn’t love you in that way. You are his friend, nothing more. This is your last warning. Leave me and my family alone!”
“Or what? You’ll kill me, too?” Montana Sue stomped out the door her chest thrust out and her spine as rigid as a lightning rod. “We’ll see about that Mrs. Granger!”
Rose released the breath lodged in her lungs and sank down into the nearest chair. Pent-up tears rolled down her cheeks. Exhausted from the encounter, she put her head on the table sobbing.
“There, there, nothing’s that awful to warrant so many tears, my dear.” Etta May’s soft, motherly cooing washed over Rose like a warm, cozy blanket.
Rose scanned Etta May’s kind, weathered face and in that moment realized how much she missed her mother. “Etta May, I’ve made such a mess of things.” Rose scouted the room, fear striking through her sadness “Where’s Lilly?”
“Not to worry, she’s up in the room I prepared for the two of you. I suspect she’s sound asleep after working in the kitchen all morning with me.”
“Thank you,” Rose whispered, sniffling back the urge to cry again, her body sagging with relief.
“Now, why don’t I go get us some tea and a piece of the apple pie Lilly baked.” Etta May dashed into the kitchen, returning with the teapot, two cups and saucers, and two plates of warm pie.
“I’ve ruined everything for Logan and Lilly.” Rose pushed the pie around on her plate. The fork slipped from her limp fingers, clattering onto the plate. Her arms tucked to her sides, Rose slumped down in her chair. She’d not only destroyed Logan’s life; she’d also managed to do the same for an innocent child’s future.
“Doesn’t do no good to suppose somethin’ that may not be true, child,” Etta May scolded.
“I haven’t been truthful with Logan,” Rose choked down the sour taste of deceit lingering inside her mouth. “And, and I need to be before—” Before I cause Logan more disappointment and shame.
“Before someone tells him your secret?” Etta May swiped at her tear-filled eyes.
Rose looked at Etta May, a fluttering feeling deep in her belly. The pain reflecting on the kindly woman’s face made Rose sick to her stomach. Etta May was disappointed in her as well.
“A telegram came for the marshal this morning. Gabe came over and asked if I’d look out for Lilly while he took Logan out on a cattle rustling lead to show him the telegram.”
Rose gasped, her heart racing like a wild mustang. “Logan knows who I really am?”
“Yes, by now I reckon he does.” Etta May poured more tea, her hand trembling slightly. “So do I, and I suspect Montana Sue does also seein’ as how she delivered it. But I want to hear what happened that was so horrible to make a fine young lady like you run away. Will you tell me everything, Rose?”
“Yes.” Rose sat back, drying the tears brimming her eyes. “Roseanne Duncan is my name. I worked in the house of a very powerful man as a housemaid. One morning I rose early and started down the servant’s stairs to the kitchen when I heard arguing in the hall. I peeked out the door just as the mistress tumbled down the stairs and the master stood there smiling…”
Rose continued with how Mr. Griswold threatened her. How Abby had been the one to answer Logan’s advertisement for a bride. That it was at Abby’s insistence Rose come in her place in order to protect herself from Mr. Griswold. So Rose took the train ticket tucked inside the envelope with the letter and tintype of Logan and boarded the train coming to Dodge City.
“I owe Abby my life, Etta May.” Rose sniffed, dabbing her tired eyes. “Abby gave up a life with Logan and Lilly for me. She gave up her life’s adventure to save my life.”
Etta May covered Rose’s hand with one of her own, “Dear Rose, I’m not sure I wouldn’t have done the same in Abby’s place. The Lord has a plan for all of us, including you, Rose. And that man loves you. I see it on his face every time he watches you. Logan will understand.”
“But we aren’t legally married,” Rose all but sobbed, twisting the napkin in her hand. Thankfully we haven’t shared the same bed, it’ll make parting a bit easier when the time comes.
“That, child, will be the easy part!” Etta May smiled, her eyes lighting up like a tree at Christmas.
“Momma?” Lilly’s tiny voice came rushing down the stairs. “Montana Sue said you are a bad person. That Daddy will have you locked up in jail and sent away.”
Lilly flew into Rose’s outstretched arms, her salty tears leaving speckles of moisture on the bodice of Rose’s dress. “No one is locking me up, Lilly. Not ever. And don’t be mad at Montana Sue, she’s a little confused by her heart right now.”
Rose gazed at Lilly, wiping tears from her daughter’s cheeks. Her heart swelled with love and acceptance. Lilly called her Momma! No matter what was ahead, Rose was not going to leave Logan and Lilly without a fight. “Now, we’ve got to get a few things and go home, okay?”
Lilly nodded her head, wrapping her arms around Rose. “I love you, Momma.”
“I love you too, Lilly,” Rose cast her eyes up and closed them in a moment of silent prayer of thanks. “Let’s thank Miss Etta May for looking after you all morning, and for showing you how to make the delicious apple pie. Then we need to get home to do those chores. And don’t let us forget an apple for Daddy’s sorrel!”
8
After eating some grub and resting themselves as well as the horses for a few hours, Logan and Gabe along with Gabe’s deputies, pushed on for several more miles through the heat and dust until they came across several head of the missing Kennedy cattle now bearing an altered Double K brand. With the rustlers nowhere in sight, Logan helped round up the cattle and drove the small herd toward Dodge City.
From the dark clouds gathering and the bellowing of the cattle, Logan had a feeling in his bones a storm was on the way. If they didn’t get the herd close to the stockyard at Dodge, they’d have to at the very least take some shelter in a gully before the height of the approaching storm. If not their efforts would be blown away by chasing down the scattered beasts. Logan for one couldn’t take the time to round up the scared longhorn, he had things pressing on the home front needing his attention.
“Looks like we might be gettin’ wet,” Logan reined in next to Gabe, his gaze cast on the curtain of rain falling to the southwest moving toward them.
“I’ve been keepin’ an eye out as well. We’ll keep moving slow and easy so as not to spook ‘em for as long as we can. Keep a look out for a place to hunker down in,” Gabe glanced to the coming storm then back over to Logan. His eyes filled with regret, he shook his head lips pressed together. “I’m sure sorry ‘bout giving you the news the way I did. I didn’t see no other way to get you out of there to think things over. To be sure on how you felt about Rose.”
Logan rocked with the rhythm of the gelding, his gaze settled on the several head of cattle in front of him. “There’s nothing to settle on. Rose is my wife, plain and simple. Whatever she’s done, she’ll answer for it. I know you’re wondering if I’ll be sending her back and the answer is…hell, I don’t know. I need to get a telegram to Mr. Pinkerton and get Rose’s side of the situation before settling on a judgment of any kind. Damn it, Gabe, I asked her if she’d be willing to
change our marriage contract before you came riding up. Maybe this is why she agreed so quickly. The fool thing is—”
“You’re in love with her.” Gabe nodded, a smile streaking across his face. “For what it’s worth, it sounds to me like she witnessed something she shouldn’t have. That it scared her enough to send her running from it. The telegram said to protect, not lock her up.”
“Maybe I am. Maybe I ain’t.” The sky rolled with dark clouds. Logan pulled up the collar of his shirt and settled his hat tighter on his head. “Our luck is about to run out. These cattle might likely scatter if we don’t get them penned up somewhere and soon.” Logan pointed to the southwest sky as the clouds rapidly merged into black ugliness.
The sky had turned from gray too black in a matter of moments. Logan spurred the gelding in the side riding off to the head of the small herd. Gabe rode to the opposite point, while Sam and Charlie took control of the rear keeping the cattle boxed and moving at a steady pace.
Logan stood in the saddle scanning the parched land ahead. “Damn, there’s got to be a place, or we’re in a heap of trouble.” He kept surveying the land hoping the gully they’d taken the longhorn from might have a branch up here. “There!” Logan shouted, then pointed over to a ravine. Gabe nodded then called out to his men pointing the possible shelter out to Sam and Charlie. Whistling and snapping lariats encouraged the stock forward slightly to the east. The clouds burst open as the men drove the bawling doggies down into the ravine. They had little time to prepare what shelter they could while the storm passed.
Brides Along the Chisholm Trail Boxset Page 8