“You rode over there on your own?”
She gently wiped Arnie’s face with a damp cloth. “I can’t ride, I had to walk. Can you help me raise him up on the pillows, it will make breathing easier for him.”
Grant lifted his shoulders while Hannah pushed a couple of pillows behind him.
“Is that better?” the soft caring way she spoke to Arnie made Grant ashamed of the way he had attacked her.
“How long has he been like this?”
“He had a fall yesterday. He’s almost blind so I thought he must have bumped into something, now I’m not sure what it is.”
Grant’s worry escalated with every passing minute.
“What happened to your face? It looks like you were kicked by a horse.”
“I was attacked.” Now wasn’t the time to mention exactly what had happened. “Have we met before?” he asked. There was something vaguely familiar about her. He couldn’t quite put his finger on it. Maybe it was those big cow eyes, made more prominent by the dark circles beneath them.
“I doubt it. Would you like a coffee and something to eat?”
“Well….”
“If you stay with Arnie I’ll get you something. There’s some stew left over from last night. I don’t like leaving Arnie alone for too long.”
“If it isn’t too much trouble.”
“No, I want to mix up some oatmeal for him.”
“Oatmeal?”
“Yes, he’s having trouble eating since the fall.” She brushed her hair down with her hand. It was a pretty nut brown color and fell over her shoulders. She sure was a pretty gal. He pulled his thoughts up. What was wrong with him? Admiring Arnie’s wife. Envying him having her?” The head injury must have damaged his brain. He liked pretty women as much as the next man, but he didn’t want a permanent one in his life. He enjoyed his semi-solitary way of living.
He watched her leave the room with a slight swish of her skirt. She was little and dainty.
“Grant.” Arnie’s husky voice interrupted his musing. “I’ve been like a father to you, haven’t I?”
“Yes. I can never repay you for all you’ve done for me.”
“You can.”
“How? I’ll do anything you ask of me.”
“Marry, Hannah.”
“What!”
“When I’m gone, marry her.”
“Marriage?”
“Yes. She won’t be able to cope on her own and with a baby.”
“Baby?” I must be having a nightmare Grant thought.
“She’s had a hard life. Please, I don’t want her or the child to suffer.”
Shock tore through him.
“I can go to the grave happy if I know you’ll be here to care for them.”
“You’re not going to die. You’re as tough as old boot leather.”
“Listen to me. A man knows when it’s his time. Promise me you’ll marry Hannah and look after her and the baby. Your word of honor. Get the preacher to do the marrying and the burying on the same day.”
Grant hesitated. A cold aura suddenly engulfed him. He would do anything for Arnie, but this?
“Please,” the old man pleaded. “You’re the only person I trust.” His breathing became even more labored.
He owed Arnie everything. “All right, I’ll marry her and bring your child up as my own.” He would keep his word, he wasn’t the type of man who would break it, but he didn’t have to like it.
He smelled the aroma of coffee and nausea rose in his throat. He had never planned on getting himself hog-tied and branded. Of course, Hannah might not want to marry him. That faint hope was all he had to cling to. She could live here and he could make sure her and the child were safe.
Chapter 6
Hannah tip-toed into the room carrying a bowl of oatmeal and a spoon. She looked so sad and weighed down with worry, Grant felt like a lowdown polecat for what he had thought and said about her.
“Your food is on the kitchen table.” She threw the words over one shoulder as she moved toward Arnie.
“I’m sorry for what I said before.”
“Don’t be, I’m used to abuse. I’ve put up with it most of my life.” She suddenly stopped speaking, as if realizing she was giving out too much information.
“Thanks.” He strode out of the room and headed for the kitchen. The table was nicely set with a plate of steamy, aromatic stew, shiny cutlery and a folded up napkin, like they had in diners. Had she worked in such a place? Where did she come from? What had she done before coming here?
It was obvious she did care for Arnie. He’d give up a year’s pay to know what her story was. The stew was well cooked. He ate it because he was hungry and she had gone to the trouble of heating it up. He poured himself a cup of coffee and sat staring into it.
As soon as Hannah entered the kitchen he could tell she’d been crying. Those big blue eyes were drenched with tears and her lips trembled.
“Sit down. I’ll get you a coffee, you look like you need it.”
She shook her head.
“I’m sorry about before, I spoke without thinking.”
“It was because you cared for Arnie, I understand that because I care for him, also.” She slumped at the table.
“Did Arnie mention he wants me to marry you once he’s gone? Old fool.”
“Yes. You don’t have to, just let him think you will to make him happy.”
“He might get better,” Grant said the words, not really believing them. Arnie was dying. A man knew when his time was nearly up. “He said you’re, um, expecting.”
“I’m fairly sure that I am, but we’ve only been married about nine weeks, so….”
“Yeah, well, I guess it can happen quickly. Look, Hannah, I’ve never planned on getting married, but….”
“I don’t want another husband. I do want a father for my baby and somewhere to live. You don’t have to marry me, Grant, just let me stay here. I can work for my keep doing household chores. Arnie taught me how to milk a cow. I can’t ride a horse, they frighten me. I can do gardening,” she rushed on, not giving him a chance to speak.
“Stop. You can keep house for me. I’m not the sort of man who expects women to do a man’s work outside.”
Grant strode outside to do a few chores, nothing too far from the house. He wanted to see when Doc arrived, to find out the true extent of Arnie’s condition. He wasn’t very hopeful, not with the way his friend looked and spoke.
Marriage? He couldn’t believe Arnie would suggest such a ridiculous thing. On reflection it did have some merit. He would be able to ensure Hannah and the baby were okay. Wouldn’t have to bother about forcing himself to do household chores. It could be a marriage in name only, then they could get an annulment later on if they wanted to.
Hannah was an attractive gal and it would be no hardship to consummate their marriage. Was he going loco? He had never spent all night in a woman’s bed so why start now? He couldn’t believe the way he was thinking, especially after accusing her of being a gold digger who mistreated Arnie.
He swung the axe with all the force he could muster and was soon sweating like a pig. After cutting a dozen or so logs, the ache in his head became too great. He felt as if his head was splitting in unison with the logs.
Cursing, he stopped and wiped his arm across his perspiring forehead. The old mare he had ridden from town poked her head over the fence and gazed at him with soulful brown eyes.
He strode to the barn and half-filled a bucket with oats. The poor animal deserved a treat, after all she had carried him from town without mishap. “Here you are, only half a bucket. I have to be careful now. I’ve lost all those cattle. Things will be tight here for a time.”
He ran his fingertips along the white blaze on her head. “If Hannah can’t ride, you might be the answer to teaching her, being old and docile.” A woman living out here needed to be able to ride.
Where had she come from and what had she done there? Obviously, she hadn’t come from a r
anch.
“Blaze will be your name from now on.”
He couldn’t believe he was talking to this horse. His head injury must have done more damage to his brain than he had thought. He wouldn’t be able to leave the ranch now and search for those vicious rustlers. He’d have to leave it up to the sheriff, and that didn’t sit well with him.
Doc finally arrived driving his shabby old buggy. Hannah rushed out on the porch to greet him. She was small, dainty and moved as gracefully as a swan.
Grant strode into the kitchen via the back door.
“He’s not doing very well,” he heard her say.
“How are you feeling, my dear?”
“I’m all right. That medicine you gave me has stopped me feeling sick in the morning.”
“Good. Where’s Grant?”
“I’m here. I’ll just wash my hands then I’ll be with you.” He strode out to the wash house where a basin and a piece of soap rested on a bench. He washed his hands and face. He wouldn’t have minded stripping off and washing all over, although Iris had sponged his body yesterday. I could do with a shave. He ran his hand across his bristly chin as he entered the house.
On arriving at Arnie’s room, he walked straight in without waiting to be invited.
“How are you feeling?” Doc asked Arnie.
“Oh, it’s you, Doc. Not good. I’m dying.”
“No, you’re not,” Hannah cried out. “Don’t talk like that, you’ve got me and the baby to care for.”
“Grant has promised to look after you both. He’s going to marry you.”
“I don’t want to marry him. He thinks I’m a gold digger.”
“I’ve apologized for calling you that.”
“Hannah, I also think it’s a good idea for you and Grant to get married,” Doc said.
Hannah gasped while Grant inwardly cursed.
“It’s a crazy idea.” He lowered his voice so Arnie wouldn’t hear. “I’ve promised to look after them and I will.”
“Grant, I want you to marry Hannah. You’re the son I never had, she’ll be safe with you.” Arnie’s voice was strong, resolute. “It has to be legal. Promise me now, with Doc as a witness, you’ll marry her, then I can die in peace.”
“You’re not going to die. You’re a tough old varmint. Doc can fix you up.”
Grant was shocked when the doctor shook his head.
“Please, Grant, you owe me, promise.” The previous strength in Arnie’s voice ebbed away and it became weak again.
“Okay, I promise I’ll marry Hannah.” He ignored her shocked gasp. “I’ll always look after her and your child.”
“Thank you. You won’t be sorry, she’ll make you a good wife like she did me. Marry him Hannah, he’ll make you a good husband.”
Arnie gave a deep sigh and was gone. Just - like - that.
Hannah let out a loud moan and slowly sank to the floor. Grant leapt across the room and grabbed her.
“Have you got a bed you can lie her on?” Doc asked. “She’s fainted with the shock.”
“Well….”
“Not in here. There are things that need doing here. Better for her not to see it.”
“My room.” Grant carried her into his bedroom and placed her on his bed. No woman had ever set foot in here. He glanced around. It was dusty and dull compared to the rest of the house. Clothes and ranch papers were strewn everywhere. Now and again he would have a clean-up, but he hadn’t done it for a while. He took a blanket from his closet and covered her with it. The room smelled stale and musty. He opened the window to let the fresh air in.
She looked so vulnerable lying there. He leaned over to push the hair away from her face. The breath whistled between his teeth when he saw a purple birthmark. He struggled to breathe. Silly Milly, ugly duckling. The cruel childish chants echoed in his ear. The little ugly duckling had grown into a beautiful swan just as he had told her all those years ago.
It was unbelievable that after all this time and so many miles from Deadwood, they would meet again. He wondered what had happened to the old witch of an aunt. Dead most probably, and good riddance. How many more shocks could he endure?
Hannah moaned and her eyes fluttered open. “Arnie?” She made to rise.
“Lie still. Doc said you had to rest.”
“I need to….”
“We’ll fix everything.” She looked so sad and forlorn his heart ached. “You have your baby to think of now.”
“I do feel weary.” Her eyes closed.
Grant walked into Arnie’s room. “I’m nearly done here,” Doc said. “Could you make me a coffee?”
“Sure.”
“I want to get back to town. I’ll send the undertaker and organize everything.”
A few minutes later Grant was slumped at the kitchen table staring at his coffee. He straightened up in his chair when Doc walked in. “What killed Arnie?”
“You knew he was going blind? Well, I now think he had a growth there. As it grew it damaged the eyes and then as it enlarged it strangled the blood vessels in the brain. That’s the best way to put it.”
“If only I’d known how bad he was, I wouldn’t have left him.”
“It wouldn’t have mattered. For a while I thought he was going blind because of some disease of the eye. Once he started complaining of other symptoms I knew it was more than that.”
“Did he know?” Grant took a sip of coffee and it tasted bitter, so he added a couple of spoons of sugar, something he normally didn’t do.
“I’m not sure. What I can tell you is that these last couple of months with Hannah were happy ones for him. He was so pleased about the babe, he couldn’t wait to tell you.”
“Her name isn’t Hannah,” he blurted out before he could stop himself, and once said the words couldn’t be retracted.
“What do you mean?”
“This is just between you and me, Doc. I have your word on it?”
“Yes.”
He proceeded to tell the doctor about Milly and the terrible childhood she had endured with her cruel aunt.
“I knew there was tragedy in her life, Arnie did, too, just not exactly what it was. All the more reason why you should marry her.”
“I promised Arnie I would and I’ll keep my word. It will be a marriage in name only.”
“You’re a young man, Grant with a young man’s needs. She’s a pretty young woman. “Don’t lock yourself into a contract you might find difficult to keep.”
“You saying I won’t be able to keep my hands off her?”
“No, I’m saying you’d be a fool to try it. Get to know each other and let love grow. You were close to Arnie, so was Hannah. This baby can bring you both closer together if you let it. It’s a chance of a lifetime for you, boy, don’t throw it away.”
“She doesn’t even like me.”
“Why?”
“Because I told her she was a gold digger.”
“You didn’t?”
“Yeah, um… I accused her of torturing Arnie, as well.”
Doc’s mouth dropped open in shock.
“How was I to know? I come into the house and find Arnie tied to a chair.” He told Doc about the whole scene, and it sounded even worse when he spoke about it.
“You over-reacted, my boy. Hannah will understand, she’s got a good heart. She and Arnie had feelings for each other, not that I’d call it love, the age difference was just too great. You’re a good looking young man, it wouldn’t be difficult for her to fall in love with you, given time.”
Grant spluttered into his coffee. “And what about my feelings?”
“Are you telling me you couldn’t fall in love with a pretty young woman like her?”
“I don’t think I’m capable of love.”
“You don’t mind waking up in the morning alone in a cold bed?”
“Well….”
“You don’t want the softness and warmth a wife can give you?”
Grant wrung his hands. “I don’t know. You’re star
ting to give me a headache.”
Doc laughed. “I’ll check your wound then take my leave. Tell Hannah I’ll organize everything for her.”
“Okay, thanks. I’ll think on what you’ve told me.”
“Don’t just think on it, son, act on it,” Doc said as he checked the wound. “No infection, that’s good. Another week and I’ll take the stiches out. When you come into town for that, marry Hannah at the same time. The quicker the better in my opinion.”
“No mourning period?”
“In this case it’s better if there isn’t, and by the way, this ranch is yours now.”
“Only half of it.”
“No, Arnie didn’t make a new Will after he married Hannah, so the old one still stands. I know what’s in it because I witnessed it.”
“Half should go to Hannah and the child.”
“That’s up to you, Grant. Look after her won’t you?”
“Yes. I promised and I will.”
Chapter 7
Arnie’s funeral was an ordeal Grant didn’t want to go through again. A lot of mourners were in attendance as he had been a popular long time rancher in the area. The wake was held at Doc’s house. Now it was over, he was ready to take Hannah home.
Had it not been for that he would have drowned his sorrows in whiskey. She was dry-eyed during the burial service and he couldn’t help admiring her dignified courage.
“I think it’s time Grant took you home, my dear,” Doc said. “You don’t only have yourself to look after now. Arnie wouldn’t want you to mourn. You made his last weeks on this earth happy ones. He would want you to move on with your life now.”
“I know, but it isn’t easy for me.” Hannah hated that she sounded so whiney yet couldn’t help it. She hadn’t loved Arnie as a wife should; he hadn’t loved her, either. They had liked and respected each other, which had been enough for them. So, it hadn’t been the heart palpitating passion of the romance stories she had read. Maybe there wasn’t such a feeling. It could all be the figment of an over-zealous author’s imagination.
She didn’t know what to do. Arnie had wanted Grant to marry her. As if a handsome man like him would contemplate entering what was essentially a forced marriage. He had given his word to a dying man, although she wouldn’t hold him to it.
Promise Forever: Fairy Tales with a Modern Twist Page 31