Renewing Love

by Linda Ford

  Eve continued to ignore them.

  Cole ate like a man who hadn’t seen food in a week.

  Aunt Alice noticed his haste. “You’ll get a bellyache eating that fast.”

  “I’ll get a bellyache listening to you and Ma giving out advice.”

  Aunt Alice banged her fork to the table. “Give us a little credit for being wiser and more experienced than you young things.”

  Aunt Nancy, not to be outdone, added, “Your father and I were married twenty-five years. God rest his soul.” She pulled out a hanky and wiped her eyes.

  “I’m sorry, Ma. I know you mean well.”

  But Eve caught the wink Nancy gave Alice, and she burst out laughing.

  Three people stared at her. “You two ladies are incorrigible.”

  They had the grace to look guilty.

  Cole cleaned his plate and pushed from the table. “Mind if I take some food?”

  Eve stared at him. “It’s your food. Help yourself.”

  He found a sack in the pantry and took the rest of the biscuits and pancakes. Then opened the tin of cookies.

  “How long are you planning to be gone?” his mother asked, voicing the question in Eve’s mind as she watched the sack grow fatter and fatter.

  “Just for the day.”

  “Who are you sharing your lunch with?” Aunt Alice asked.

  Cole clutched the sack to his chest. “This is all for me.”

  “You’re big enough now. Sure don’t think you need to grow anymore,” his aunt said. She turned to her sister. “How did you manage to keep him fed growing up?”

  Nancy laughed. “We did our best, and so did you. Remember when Mr. Landers asked how we used so much meat?”

  Eve grinned to herself, enjoying how the ladies teased Cole and how he reacted in good humor. She couldn’t deny that he was a nice man and easy to be around so long as he didn’t pursue the judgment with which he had judged her two years ago.

  “And now I can eat as much as I want without answering to him.” Cole tied the sack shut. “I’ll be back tonight.” He looked at Eve as he uttered the last words.

  She followed him out to the veranda and kept her words low. “Don’t hurry back on my account. I’ll manage very well on my own.”

  He tied the sack of food to the back of the saddle, then faced her. “I wouldn’t want you lying awake all night straining to identify every sound you hear.” He swung into the saddle and rode toward the river.

  Oh, that man! She kicked at a bit of dirt on the wooden floor. He had purposely repeated her words back to her of how she couldn’t sleep when her parents were away. Why did he continually misjudge her, and why did she care? She watched him ride out of sight, a big man easy in the saddle. Easy with his world, though she understood now that it had not always been so.

  He was different than the man she’d known back in Verdun. More relaxed. More confident. Likely that came from having achieved his goal. Somehow she understood that he would have never quit until he did. Seems that left little room in his life for anything else. He now had his ranch, his home. But should something threaten that, what would he be willing to sacrifice to keep it?

  The day lay before her, and she meant to keep it full of activity, so she wouldn’t have time to worry about some prowler hanging about nor that Cole was out looking for whoever it was.

  Please don’t let him ride into a trap.

  She cleaned up the kitchen, got the ladies settled with some books to read, then went to the garden to weed. From where she worked, she could see the barn, the house, and the trail from the main road.

  She took a break at midday to make and serve dinner then returned to the garden. It seemed the best place to be, with its view of her surroundings.

  Every few minutes she glanced up from her work to look about. No one would sneak in and rob them or worse, without dealing with her. She gripped the hoe handle.

  She squinted down the road at a trail of dust. Was it the wind or a rider? She thought about going to the barn and finding a better weapon, then she decided she would keep an eye on the road. Soon she made out the shape of a horse and rider. She slipped from the garden to the front of the house, the better to see. Perhaps someone was passing by but no, the rider turned up the laneway.

  “Ladies, stay in the house and don’t make a sound.” She closed the front door firmly behind her and waited for her visitor. Behind her, she heard the ladies and knew they crowded to the window to watch.

  The visitor drew closer, and she squinted to bring the horse and rider into focus.

  It looked like….it was…. “Pa!” She leaned her hoe against the wall of the house and raced down the road to greet him.

  Pa left the saddle and pulled her to his side when she reached him.

  “How are you doing, my girl?”

  Her heart grew a ton lighter at his warm love. “I’m fine.”

  “You’re sure? I didn’t realize it was Cole Carter and his family who had moved here.”

  “It was a surprise to me as well.”

  They slowly made their way toward the house.

  “Are you all right with it?”

  “His mother and aunt are sweet. I don’t mind looking after them.”

  “You’ve only half answered my question. What about Cole? Are you all right being around him? I know he hurt you badly when he left.”

  “It was a misunderstanding. Seems he thought my initial reaction of hesitancy was my final decision. He’d been made to feel he wasn’t worthy, so he took my shock and surprise as refusal.” She saw now how he could interpret her words and think she was like the Landers girl…encouraging him one minute, ignoring and rejecting him the next. “Pa, do you consider me a fearful person?” Should she try and be more like Flora, who did what she wanted with no concern about consequences?

  He chuckled. “I wouldn’t use that word. I’d say you are careful.”

  Funny that he used the same word to describe her as she had. “Is that a bad thing?”

  Pa laughed again. “I am most grateful for it. I don’t think I would have survived two Floras.”

  She laughed, relieved to know he liked her as she was.

  He continued. “You were so young when you were orphaned. You’d been through so much and change frightened you. Leaving home frightened you.”

  So, Cole had been right to think she was afraid. She could admit it, even as she could admit that she was sometimes still afraid. “Will I ever be ready?

  “You’ll be ready when something bigger, better, more important comes along.”

  “How will I know?”

  “You’ll know when giving up that something is more painful than the thought of leaving home and family.”

  “That sounds like a lot of pain and change.”

  “When the time is right, you won’t see it that way at all.” He stopped to study her. “You’ll see it as an opportunity you’ve been waiting for your whole life.”

  “That’s how it was with you and Ma?”

  He chuckled. “That’s how it still is.” He smiled down at her. “Remember the Bible verse? ‘The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?’ There will come a time when His love will be the only strength you need.”

  “You make it sound like I don’t trust God.”

  “I don’t mean that. I see evidence of a very strong faith. One that has carried you through many challenges. But that faith will grow stronger with each passing year.”

  “That sounds nice. Now come and say hello to the ladies.” They were almost within earshot of the house and the two ladies crowded in the doorway.

  Pa stopped. “There’s news that perhaps they don’t need to hear. Where’s Cole?”

  She explained about the thefts. “He’s looking for whoever is responsible.”

  Pa looked troubled, which sent alarm skittering through Eve’s veins. “What’s wrong?”

  “Come with me to water my hors
e.”

  Eve understood it was a diversion. That he wanted to delay joining the ladies. What could he have to tell her that he didn’t want them to hear? It had to be bad news. Her bones grew brittle with fear. Had something happened to Ma, or Flora or one of the other girls? She couldn’t bring herself to voice the question.

  They went to the trough and stood with their backs to the house.

  “Eve, there’s been a robbery in town.”

  She pursed her lips to let the air in her lungs release slowly. Compared to what she thought, a robbery was not so terrible. Unless…

  “Who was robbed? Is anyone hurt?” Glory was such a quiet little town. Why must someone ruin that?

  “Norm White was robbed at gunpoint. Lisa was in the store with him, and they grabbed her.”

  Eve shuddered to think of the girl, sister-in-law to the store owner and about Eve’s age, being attacked.

  Pa continued. “Norm fought them off. They shot him. Norm got off a shot too. Knowing the sound would have alerted the town, the pair rode away. Lisa, praise God, was left behind.”

  “Oh, Pa. How dreadful. How is Norm? And Lisa?”

  “Norm was shot in the arm. It’s a clean shot. He’ll be all right. Lisa is shook up and fighting mad. She said, ‘If I ever get my hands on that pair, they better pray I don’t have a gun or an ax with me.’”

  Eve managed a chuckle at Lisa’s bravery. “Did they capture the pair?”

  “No, and that’s why I’ve come to warn you. And Victoria. I stopped there before I came here. There were two men seen. There might have been more lurking about. They rode from town before anyone could stop them. They were headed north.”

  “This direction.” Eve stared toward the river where she had last seen Cole. “Cole’s out there looking for them, though he doesn’t know it.”

  “You stay close to the house and don’t take any chances. I brought you this.” Pa withdrew a derringer from his pocket and handed it to Eve. “Keep it with you at all times and don’t hesitate to use it if you must.”

  She gingerly took the small gun and tucked it into the pocket of her skirt.

  He placed a hand on her head and lifted his face to the heavens to pray. “Lord God, protect my daughters. Protect all innocent people. Be with Cole and bring him safely home. In Thee we trust, knowing we are safe in Your mighty hands. Amen.”

  Eve let her father’s touch, his prayer, and the power of God’s love fill her heart.

  Twice, Aunt Alice had called for Eve to bring her father to the house. She called again.

  Eve chuckled. “The ladies are growing restless. Come and have coffee.” She composed her face to reveal none of her fear and worry as they went inside. But she couldn’t stop herself from repeated looks out the window. Cole was out there as were two or more robbers. What if he came upon them unexpectedly? Or they surrounded him? They’d already proved they wouldn’t hesitate to shoot.

  A pain knifed her heart.

  She served coffee and cookies. After Pa had welcomed Aunt Nancy and Aunt Alice to the area and asked after them, she asked Pa about the family. Ma was well. Josie was well. Victoria well and happy in her new home. Comforting news that did nothing to ease the way her pulse pounded in her temples. It would not stop until Cole was safely home.

  Pa pushed from the table. “I must leave.”

  Eve’s heart jittered even more than it had been. She’d be alone with the two ladies. She touched her skirt pocket. And a very small, one-shot gun. She stilled her heart. If necessary to protect these ladies, she would use it. But she decided she would keep the hoe close by as well. If those robbers came here, she would put up a fight.

  She went outside with Pa to say goodbye.

  “I don’t like to leave you alone.”

  She jabbed her thumb over her shoulder toward the house where the two ladies watched. “I’m hardly alone.”

  “I’d feel better if Cole was back.” Pa’s look circled the place. “I will continue to pray for his safety as well as yours. He gave Eve a gentle look. “A posse is following those men. Perhaps they are already in custody.”

  Eve didn’t point out that he didn’t sound very certain. “I’ll be watchful and careful,” she assured him.

  “I don’t expect you’ll be at church tomorrow,” Pa said. “Cole won’t want to leave the place unguarded until those men are apprehended.”

  She’d forgotten it would be Sunday. The days had blended one into another. That meant she’d been there six days. “Cole’s mother has written to Ohio for someone to come and help. I’ll only be here until that person arrives. A week, two, at the most.”

  “I see. Somehow I thought you’d be staying here much longer than that.”

  She wondered at the tone of his voice, but he swung into the saddle before she could ask him about it. He waved to the ladies as he left.

  Eve waited on the step until he rode out of sight. She glanced toward the river before she went inside.

  There was no sign of Cole. She must hide her worry from the ladies by keeping busy. The rest of the day passed slowly. She washed windows, thus giving herself the perfect excuse to keep an eye on the surrounding countryside.

  Twice she thought she saw something move in the shadows of the nearby trees. But both times it turned out to be only her imagination. She thought it would prove pleasant to have trees so close to the house, but now they seemed to harbor danger. God, protect us.

  Suppertime arrived. The meal was ready. Still, there was no sign of Cole.

  The ladies watched her. Determined not to give them any reason to guess at her concern, she served the food. “He said he’d be back before nightfall.”

  Aunt Alice held her broken arm like it was painful.

  Eve studied her. “Is your arm sore?”

  “A little.”

  Eve realized Alice had been unusually quiet most of the afternoon. “Have you reinjured it?”

  “I might have hurt it a little yesterday trying to knit.”

  “I told her it was foolish,” Nancy said. “But she won’t listen to me.”

  “I’m the oldest,” Aunt Alice said with some spunk, as if that explained it all.

  Eve laughed. “I felt that way many times about my younger sister, but she never listened.”

  Alice frowned at Nancy. “She doesn’t either.”

  “Do you want me to look at your arm?” Eve asked.

  “No need. Seems Cole isn’t going to honor us with his presence, so let’s just eat.”

  Eve passed around the food. Maybe Alice was simply out of sorts. After all, she wasn’t used to being incapacitated.

  But after they finished the meal, Eve tried again. “May I look at your arm? Ma taught us how to nurse the ill and take care of injuries.”

  “Let her look,” Nancy said. “You’ve fussed about it all afternoon.”

  “Very well.”

  Eve placed Alice’s arm on a pillow and untied the sling. She carefully unwound the bandages that held the splints in place. “There’s your problem. You’ve twisted the bottom splint, and it’s pressing into your flesh.” She adjusted the offending strip of wood, making sure to leave the bruised area without pressure on it, then rewrapped the whole business. Done, she sat back. “How’s that?”

  “Better. Thank you.” Alice patted Eve’s cheeks. “Now if only I could make you feel better.”

  “But I feel fine.” Why would she think Eve needed something?

  “You’ve been edgy all day, and worse since your father was here. I know you’re missing Cole, and you’re maybe worried about him.”

  Eve pushed to her feet. “Cole can take care of himself.”

  “You two should have mended whatever you argued about,” Nancy said.

  “That’s right,” Alice added. “You’ll regret letting things fester. Isn’t that right, Nan?”

  “Indeed.”

  “I can see the pair of you have discussed this at length, but unfortunately you’ve come to the wrong conclusion.”
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  Alice sniffed. “I doubt it. We saw you arguing. We saw the tension between you. Goodness, a person could have sliced it into solid blocks it was so thick.”

  “You’re being dramatic.” Eve carried dishes to the worktable.

  Nancy and Alice chuckled.

  “What?”

  “I guessed that’s how you’d react,” Aunt Nancy said. “Didn’t I, Alice?”

  Her sister nodded, her eyes sparkling with humor. “We were right on that score too.”

  Eve would not ask what she meant by too, guessing she referred to the lovers’ quarrel argument. They would believe what they wanted.

  She watched out the window as she washed dishes.

  Again, she thought she saw something flit through the trees. Her breath caught between her teeth and she stared at the spot. The wind ruffled the leaves and she released her air. It was only the shadow of the trees. Why had Cole left the trees standing so close to the house? She knew the answer…for shade and enjoyment.

  But she would not enjoy anything about them until those robbers were safely locked up.

  Cole had found a track some time ago and followed it to a rocky ravine. With no desire to ride into a trap, he chose to ride to the rim and scout along the edge, scanning the bottom for any sign of someone. He saw neither friend nor foe. He retraced his steps until he again reached the track he’d seen and studied it intently. A moccasin imprint, for sure. The edges indistinct, making it impossible to guess how old the track was. Leading Sanchez he continued along the river, his eyes glued to the ground before him. Having no desire to be caught unawares, he paused often to look around. His search was rewarded an hour later when he came upon an old campfire. The ashes had been rained on. The ground washed clean of any clues. It might mean only that someone had passed that way months ago. Or it might indicate a more recent visitor before the last rain. According to his recollection that was ten days ago.

  He continued onward. He reckoned he must be close to Reese Cartwright’s place but decided against turning aside to speak to him. The sun had begun its descent to the mountains. He turned Sanchez toward home. He would have liked to warn Reese about the thieving prowler, but he also wanted to get back before dark. No point in causing Eve worry.