“Good to see you again.” Franklin nodded toward the herd. “We’ve got 350 head. I’m sure you’ll want to inspect them.”
Harley nodded, and the two men walked over to the wooden fence and leaned their arms on the top, each with a booted foot resting on the bottom rail.
“I can get a good look at them as they enter the pen.”
The cowboys had no trouble urging the cows through the gate, because feeding stations lined two sides of the enclosure. Franklin was proud of his men. All were real professionals that knew how to handle themselves and the beeves.
Harley stood up and walked along the fence, his gaze roving over each animal. The man really knew about quality in a herd.
“Looks like top-notch cattle again.” Harley came back to where Franklin still stood. “They’ll bring top dollar.”
“Always glad to hear that.”
Harley started toward the open door to the depot with Franklin by his side. “The station master has a pot of coffee on. We can take care of our business at a table in the corner while we enjoy a cup.”
A nervous horse neighed as the stranger Franklin had noticed before led him down a wide plank from the baggage car. Franklin and Harley paused to watch.
“That’s a fine horse he’s got.” Harley recognized good horseflesh, too.
“Yup.”
Before they went into the depot, they both watched as the man mounted and headed down the road toward Breckenridge. The westbound train pulled out of the station, going to the place where it would take the side rails, so the eastbound could come through.
By the time they finished with their business, Franklin held a bag of money, and the eastbound train had arrived. The cattle cars were already attached to the end of the train, and Franklin’s cowhands had loaded most all the beeves into them.
When they finished, he called the men into a huddle over to the side of the train station, away from prying eyes. He paid each man, and the extra hands rode on into Frisco. Several of his own men were accompanying the cattle to Chicago. Everything was under control. Gave him a good feeling.
Too bad his family life wasn’t.
He mounted Major and turned toward Breckenridge. First, he’d go to the bank, and he needed to talk to Brian before he returned to the ranch. Franklin wanted things to change, but he didn’t have a clue how that could happen. He’d made such a mess of things. He wanted help, and the only person he felt free to talk to was his pastor, since he would keep everything Franklin told him in confidence.
On the way to Breckenridge, he gave Major his head. They’d had to keep pace with the cattle, and since Franklin didn’t want to run any of the weight off before they were sold, the pace was slow. Major needed a good run, and Franklin enjoyed the dust-free air rushing around him. He slowed down when they reached the outskirts of town. The streets teemed with people. He picked his way through the crowds until he reached the bank. He tied Major’s reins to the hitching rail in front and headed inside. On the ranch, Major was trained to a ground tie, but with all the busyness, he could get spooked.
After depositing most of his money in the bank, he went to the mercantile to pay off the balance his ranch owed. Since he’d been in the saddle so many days, he decided to leave Major tied to the rail by the water trough and walk the few blocks to the parsonage.
Brian answered his knock. “Franklin, to what do I owe the pleasure of a visit today?”
“I didn’t know if I’d find you home, but I’m glad I did.” He stuffed his hands in the front pockets of his denim trousers. “I wondered if you’d have time to visit with me a bit.”
“Sure. Would you like to come in? Mary can get us a cup of coffee and a slice of cake.”
Franklin glanced through the doorway, glad Mary wasn’t in sight. “I’ve got a serious problem I’d like to discuss with you.”
“All right. We can go over to the church and visit in the sanctuary, if you’d like.”
“Sounds good to me.”
Brian grabbed his hat, settled it on his head, and the two men went next door. When they stepped into the empty sanctuary, calmness settled over Franklin. Even though he had been wondering if this was the right thing to do, that peace gave him the answer. He needed help, and Brian was a good shepherd for his flock as well as a dynamic preacher.
The minister led the way to the front and took a seat on the first pew. As Franklin dropped down beside him, his eyes were drawn to the stained-glass window behind the pulpit. He’d always loved the depiction of Jesus as a shepherd. He felt as if he would have two people helping him today. He snatched his Stetson from his head and dropped it onto the pew on the side opposite the preacher. Franklin continued to study the window–the staff in one of Jesus’s hands and the lamb cradled in his other arm. The eyes seemed to see right through him. But they were gentle, not condemning.
“Let’s pray.” Brian bowed his head and petitioned heaven for wisdom and guidance.
The words whisked away Franklin’s lingering nervousness. He took a deep breath and slowly let it out. Time to be honest.
“What’s going on, Franklin?”
Although he expected the question, he wasn’t quite sure how to start telling his pastor. So he began at the point when he and Thomas took Mike Sullivan’s body up the mountain and met his wife. As he continued the story, Brian watched him, taking in every word.
When he got to the part about him asking Lorinda to marry him, he had a hard time forcing the words out. He watched his pastor for his reaction to the agreement they made. At least the man’s expression never condemned him.
“We actually had our first quarrel the evening before I left on the cattle drive. I didn’t know how to make it better.”
“It would be hard with your agreement holding you apart.” Brian’s wrinkled brow indicated how deep his thoughts were. “Go home. Have a private talk with her. Apologize to her for the quarrel. Tell her it was all your fault.”
Franklin dropped his gaze to the floor, wishing he could sink through the boards and disappear. “But–”
“Sometimes, it’s important for us men to take all the blame. It’ll make her feel safe with you. Know that you really don’t want to hurt her. Even show her that you’d lay your life down for her.”
Is that what married men really do? “I didn’t expect this.”
“That’s interesting.” Brian looked him straight in the eyes. “I remember the wedding kiss. That didn’t look as if it was forced. Actually, the temperature in the church went up about ten degrees.” A chuckle accompanied the last statement.
Franklin felt heat creep up his neck and into his cheeks. Since he hadn’t shaved after finishing the cattle drive, he hoped his few days growth made a dark enough beard to hide his embarrassment. “That kiss got away from me. I only meant to give a peck on her lips.”
A laugh burst forth from Brian. “That was a mighty long, deep peck.”
“Don’t I know it. I can’t get the kiss out of my thoughts. Every time I see Lorinda, I want to repeat it. But...we made this agreement...”
“Has Lorinda given any indication of how the kiss affected her?”
“Not really...sometimes, I do catch her staring at me with a bemused expression, but other than when we pass Michael from one to the other, we haven’t touched again.” That wasn’t exactly the truth.
On their wedding night and the next day, there was some touching, accidental or not. But he didn’t want to explore the feelings those quick touches brought to him. If he did, he might just break down and grab Lorinda for another kiss. And scare her completely away.
“I haven’t noticed anything about your relationship that would indicate what you’ve told me. Maybe Lorinda feels the same way you do. If so, what would you do about it?”
Franklin hadn’t expected this question. What did he want to do? Make their marriage real in every sense of the word. Just thinking the thought sent heat rushing throughout his body. He needed to keep control over his emotions.
“I can tell from watching your face that you want the marriage to be real, don’t you?”
All Franklin could do was nod.
“It’s a good thing you don’t play poker.” Brian laughed. “You’d never win.”
Franklin had to join him in his merriment. “What am I supposed to do?”
“Are you willing to risk your heart again? That’s the only way. Open up to her. Nothing about your relationship has been normal. One thing you could do is try to woo your wife. Court her the way every woman wants to be courted.”
That hadn’t worked with Miriam. If it had, Marvin wouldn’t have been able to snatch her right out from under Franklin’s nose. But now, he realized she wasn’t the woman for him..
“How?” Did he really ask that stupid question? He was in worse shape than he realized.
“Women glow, and grow, when they are loved. Compliment her. Take her a gift for no reason. Defer to her desires about things. The time will come when you can talk to her about how you feel. Can you wait for that?”
He’d waited this long. Of course, he could wait for her feelings for him to take hold. Just the thought of that coming to fruition made his heartbeat a few notches faster.
After Brian prayed with him again, asking God to reveal His plans to both Franklin and Lorinda, the men headed back toward the parsonage.
“Would you like to come in for coffee and cake now?” Brian’s eyebrows lifted with the end of the question.
“Thanks, but I want to get back home as soon as I can.”
Franklin thrust out his hand for their goodbye handshake. Then he headed toward the mercantile again. This time, he went to the part of the store where all kinds of doodads and things for women were displayed. He hadn’t spent much time there before. The vast array surprised him. That department occupied several aisles.
He ambled along one of them waiting for something to catch his eye. Just before he headed toward another aisle, he noticed a music box shaped like a grand piano. With gilded trim, the ceramic top and sides had a pastoral scene painted on each panel. He picked it up and twisted the key. Tinkling notes trilled as the key turned. He looked closely at the label on the bottom. “Für Elise.” He wondered if Lorinda would like this. He’d buy it anyway. If she didn’t, he could always give it to Mrs. Oleson.
On the way to the counter to pay, he passed a case displaying jewelry. A pair of eardrops caught his attention. The blue stones in them would match the wedding ring he’d bought for Lorinda. They sparkled in the sunlight streaming through the front window of the store. He’d get them, too. That way, he’d have another gift for her before he had to come back to town for more.
Franklin whistled as he carefully placed the daintily wrapped items into his saddlebags. For the first time in days, he felt hopeful for the future of his marriage.
Now he must find a way to convince Lorinda to love and desire him.
Chapter 26
Lorinda sat on the porch, one toe on the floor gently rocking the swing. Mrs. Oleson had Michael in his high chair banging a couple of spoons on the tray while she cooked supper. Lorinda wondered how the older woman could put up with all that noise. It was driving her crazy.
She stared across the large valley at the majestic mountaintops as the sun made its swift descent toward the horizon. Fluffy puffs of clouds rode the gentle breeze as the disappearing sun painted their sides in soft shades of pink, lavender, and peachy orange. The lower the light sank, the deeper the hues splashed across the clouds until dark red, deep purple, and wild orange streaked across the sky. This tranquil time of day was her favorite...except for today.
Where is Franklin?
After the first day he was gone, her anger turned into longing. She missed his presence that filled the house when he came in at the end of the day. The scent of heat, horse, and hard work that accompanied him had quickly become her favorite fragrance. Without him, the house felt cold and empty. And while she missed his presence, her memory returned to their wedding day and that...amazing...kiss. The taste…the feel of his lips, alive on hers...coaxing her to participate...the way it had—
With a shake of her head, she tried to shove the thoughts away, but she couldn’t. Would she ever experience something as exquisite as that again? Not a chance. How sad.
Mrs. Oleson told her Franklin should arrive back from the cattle drive today. When some of the ranch hands rode in earlier, her heart leapt within her. Disappointment gripped her when she realized her husband wasn’t with them. She didn’t want to ask them where he was, because as his wife, she should know. Surely, one of them would tell her and Mrs. Oleson if anything bad had happened to him.
She hated knowing they hadn’t parted on good terms. She needed to apologize for the way she treated him. The hurt in his eyes when she accused him of endangering Michael still lingered in her mind. Hurt that was almost as strong as the hurts she’d experienced growing up. She had never wanted to cause that kind of pain for anyone. Especially her husband.
The sun said goodbye to their valley, and it left a golden rim on each mountaintop. As her gaze followed the thin line of light, her ears detected the hoof beats of a lone rider approaching. In the familiar semidarkness of the gloaming, she strained to see if it was her husband. From the way the shadowy figure rode in the saddle and leaning slightly forward, his Stetson tilted just so, she knew. Franklin would be here in a few minutes. Tears of joy trailed down her cheeks.
She rushed inside the house and into her bedroom, swiping the moisture away. After lighting the lamp, she stared at her reflection in the looking glass. She brushed a few stray hairs back and quickly slid in a hairpin to hold them into place. Giving her cheeks a few soft pinches, she brought color to her face. After rolling her lips together several times, they glowed with life. So did her eyes.
Lorinda arrived back on the front porch right before Franklin leapt from his saddle beside the gate. He dropped the reins to the ground, then looked toward the porch. Even in the low light, she saw his smile and his eyes light up as he continued to stare at her a moment before he opened the gate. Her heartbeat felt like a woodpecker pounding a rhythm on the trunk of a tree. Fireflies danced in her stomach.
Was Lorinda waiting just for him? He hoped so. That would be a good sign.
He turned back to take one of the packages from his saddlebag. He’d slip the other into the house later when she was busy. He loped up the walkway to the porch, drinking in the sight of her. Blonde curls piled on the top of her head, and her blue eyes matched the sky that had darkened before he could reach home.
He had to be especially blessed married to a woman like her. And he had done her wrong. Promising what he had no plans to fulfill. How long would it take him to undo the damage? Or could he ever?
“I was wondering if you would get home today.” Her voice brought music to his heart.
“Were you worried about me?”
He went up all but the last step to the porch, ending with them face to face. He wondered if she would move back, since they were so close. But she didn’t. The soft flowery scent of her surrounded him, and he breathed deeply of the fragrance.
Lorinda turned her gaze out across the ranch land. “Maybe a little...when the ranch hands came home and you weren’t with them.”
He took another step, so close his breath mingled with hers. “I’m sorry. I didn’t think about you being worried.”
Franklin wished he could close the short distance and taste her lips again, but he didn’t dare. He would do nothing to scare her away. He tightened his stomach muscles and stepped up on the porch, but not crowding her.
She glanced up at him. “I need to apologize to you, too.”
“What for?”
Clasping her hands close to her chest, she looked nervous. “I didn’t understand what you were doing with Michael.” She started wringing her hands. “Mrs. Oleson explained that fathers often played with their babies that way. I didn’t know.” Her last words were just a whisper.
; A smile crept over his face. Maybe it wouldn’t be as hard as he thought to woo her into becoming his wife in every way. “I promise you, Lorinda. I would never do anything that would put Michael, or you, in danger. Never.”
Her hands slid down the front of her skirt, straightening imaginary wrinkles. “I believe you, Franklin.”
Her words made him feel about ten feet tall. He glanced down at the package he held. “Let’s go in where there’s more light. I brought you a present.”
“Why?” Her brow creased as if she was confused.
“No special reason.” He opened the door then took her hand and pulled her along with him as they entered the house.
A warm glow came from the parlor. He hadn’t noticed light coming from the windows when he rode up. Mrs. Oleson must have heard them and lit the three kerosene lamps that filled the room with a welcome radiance.
Lorinda stopped after he led her into the parlor. “I’ve never had a present for no reason.”
His heart ached for what she must have gone through while she was growing up. Maybe someday she’d share it all with him, so he could help her make new memories and erase those bad ones. He didn’t want to try to imagine what had happened to her. His free hand clenched into a fist. Not wanting to scare her, he flexed the fingers open.
“Sit down, Lorinda, so you can see what I brought you.”
She looked like a child at a birthday party. Her wide smile brought a twinkle to her eyes. She started carefully untying the twine, but when she had a hard time, she slipped it around the corners and threw it on the floor. As she peeled back the white wrapping paper, a happy sound sighed between her lips.
Cradling the piano in her hands held close to her chest, she gazed up at him with a wonderful expression he’d never before seen on her face. “What is it, Franklin?”
How could she not know? “It’s a music box shaped like a grand piano.”
He reached for it and turned the key on the bottom before resting it back in her hands.
A Heart's Gift Page 20