by Jenna Brandt
Levi raised an eyebrow in skepticism. “Is that wise?”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean your family doesn’t seem too keen on me stayin' here. I highly doubt they’d want to abide my presence durin' supper.”
Abigail shrugged. “They’ll accept it just fine. It will do them good to see you’re on the mend.”
“You mean that I’ll be out of their way soon enough.”
“Well, I wouldn’t put it in those words exactly, but yes, my father and brother will be glad you’ll be ready to go on the cattle drive when it’s time.”
“I should probably say no, but considerin’ how much I detest being laid up like this, I'll agree to your deal.”
As Levi sat down at the large oak dining table next to Abigail, the unwelcoming stares from the rest of the Larsen family greeted him. Even though Abigail had secured him a place at dinner, it was clearly distasteful to the people present.
“Good evening,” Levi said, trying his best to make the situation cordial.
“Good evening, Mr. Emerson,” each of them greeted in return, though the warmth never reached their voices or faces.
Wilma rounded the table and filled the glasses with wine. When she reached Levi, she lifted the bottle but he put out his hand to stop her. “Water's fine.”
Her eyebrows shot up in surprise. “If wine isn’t to your liking, Mr. Emerson, I can pour you a bourbon or whiskey.”
Not surprising the woman assumed he could not appreciate a fine wine and would be more apt to drink a hard liquor. Cowhands had a reputation of being a wild bunch who spent their limited free time consumed with debauchery. It wasn’t her fault she didn’t know he was different.
“I’m partial to sun tea if you have some.”
She smiled at him with a nod. “We happen to make the best sun tea in all of central Texas. I’ll bring you a glass straight away.”
“What’s the problem, Mr. Emerson? Is my offerings of libations not up to your standards?” Bradford asked with sarcasm.
“I’m sure your offerings are beyond comparison. I simply don’t partake; haven’t since becomin' a Christian awhile back.”
The ranch owner snorted and rolled his eyes. “I would’ve never pegged you as the religious type.”
“I wasn’t for most of my life, but I nearly died and it changed my perspective.”
“Religion is a waste of time that could be better spent. All the hours people spend going to church, praying, and reading ‘God’s word’ could be used working and achieving something in this life.”
“I agree it’s important for a man to take care of his family, but it’s also essential to realize there’s something greater in this world than just us. We need to live our lives in a way that acknowledges that truth.”
Abigail changed the subject. “Mrs. Grey told me the plans for the Fourth of July festival are coming along nicely. I wanted to help with preparations over the next couple of weeks.”
“You'll be plenty busy with your own wedding, leaving little time to plan any other celebrations,” Bradford Larsen pointed out.
Levi didn’t like hearing about Abigail’s upcoming marriage. He knew that there was talk of it happening, but he had tried to not think about it when they were together.
Wilma came back with a pitcher of sun tea and poured a glass for Levi. He gave her a grateful smile. “Thank you, miss.”
“That looks refreshing, Wilma,” Abigail praised. “I’ll have a glass as well.”
“What’s going on? When did everyone suddenly start drinking tea instead of wine at dinner?” Bradford questioned in irritation.
“I’ll stick with wine, thank you very much,” Ada said haughtily. “Anyone with a refined palate knows it goes best with steak.”
As if on cue, Wilma along with another servant, entered the room with plates in hand. They placed one in front of each person at the table.
Levi looked down and felt his stomach flip in anticipation. The plate held a thick piece of steak with fingerling potatoes and fresh corn. The first bite melted in his mouth, and he would have sworn he never tasted anything better in his life. Each mouthful was more delicious than the last. Levi would have been content to eat in silence. The Larsen family had other ideas and conversed throughout the meal. They talked amongst themselves and avoided including Levi in their discussions. Abigail tried to involve him, but the others discreetly blocked her attempts. By meal's end, it was clear to Levi that they viewed him as an outsider—an outsider beneath them and not worthy of their time.
Wilma brought the dessert out next and served them each a piece. Just like the main course, it was scrumptious.
“The cake is superb, Ada, but I don’t remember ever having this particular type before,” Abigail commented.
“I special ordered it from the bakery in Woody,” Ada explained. “I figured we should get an early start on sampling cakes for your wedding. It seemed fitting since I heard carrot cake is Andy Wilson’s favorite.”
Levi forced himself not to react. It was the second time tonight that one of Abigail’s family members brought up her wedding. It was obvious they were trying to make it clear she was off-limits, though he wondered why. Considering he was merely a hired hand and she was the boss’s daughter—not to mention they came from completely different worlds—he suspected they saw the unusual connection between them. The same connection Levi couldn’t explain himself.
From the corner of his eyes, Levi noticed Abigail’s cheeks had a pink tinge, and she looked embarrassed. Her head tilted down with her hands clenched in her lap. He wanted to fix this for her, to stop them from talking about a subject that clearly made her uncomfortable; however, if he said anything it would only make matters worse.
Levi decided he needed to spend some time in prayer. He stood to his feet and excused himself. “Thank you for the lovely meal, but I best get back to my room and rest. I’m hopin' to be well enough to return to the bunkhouse tomorrow and work the followin' day.”
“I think that’s a right-good idea,” Bradford stated with a relieved look in his eyes. “Glad you’ll be getting back to where you belong.”
As Levi made his way to his room, he couldn’t help but dwell on how much he hated Abigail planning a wedding to another man. The more time Levi spent with her, the more he didn’t want her to be with anyone else.
Thirteen
Just when Abigail thought she couldn’t be more humiliated, her family proved her wrong. Their poor behavior at dinner filled her with disgust. From their discussion about Andy Wilson to the way they treated Levi, she had never been more ashamed to be a part of the Larsen family.
Abigail tried to muster up the courage to face Levi. She raised her shoulders and knocked on the door, entering after he granted permission.
“I came to read to you before you went to sleep—” she paused for a moment, searching for the right words, “—and to apologize for what happened at dinner.”
His eyebrows shot up in surprise. “Why would you need to apologize? You did nothing wrong.”
“Yes, but they're my family. I feel responsible.”
“You shouldn’t. You’ve done nothin' but show kindness since the time we first met.”
Abigail sat in the chair next to his bed and picked up her Bible from the table. “I was wanting to read from Proverbs this evening.”
“We’re movin' on from the story of David then? I was rather enjoyin' hearin' it again.”
She sighed, the night still weighing heavy on her. “I could use some wisdom at the moment.”
“I noticed you didn’t seem happy tonight at the mention of your potential husband.”
She wondered if it was a smart idea to confide in Levi. Though she liked him, it was dangerous to confess her misgivings out loud. Would he use that against her later? Her intuition told her no, and she took a deep breath before telling him. “I’m worried that Andy Wilson and I won’t be a good match.”
“I can’t imagine you not being the p
erfect woman for any man,” Levi stated with admiration.
“That’s flattering, but as you've witnessed, I speak my mind. Mr. Wilson isn’t the sort of man who takes kindly to a woman not knowing her place. There’s even a rumor that he—” she held back since it wasn’t proper to gossip.
“He did what?” Levi prodded.
She shook her head. “I shouldn’t be discussing this with you.”
“You know you can tell me anything, right Abigail?”
“I appreciate the sentiment, but I should behave better and not talk about such matters with anyone.” Opening the Bible, she read out loud Proverbs, trying to focus on the words of wisdom rather than the swirling thoughts concerning her future.
Fourteen
One last glance around the room and Levi was ready to leave. Though he'd miss the softness of the bed, he'd be glad to be rid of the thinly veiled contempt from the Larsens. It was time to move on. He needed to get back to his pursuit of the cattle rustlers, more pointedly, finding the traitor who worked on the ranch.
Levi moved along the hallway and was closing in on reaching the front doors when he realized he forgot to return Abigail’s Bible to her. He could leave it on the nightstand, but he wanted to thank her in person for letting him use it.
After turning back, Levi headed towards where he had come. He didn’t get very far before he was stopped by voices from around the corner. He leaned against the wall, not wanting to interrupt the conversation.
“Abigail, I know you believed Mr. Emerson should stay another couple of days here, but it’s better he's leaving,” Bradford Larsen stated. “He needs to go back to where he belongs, and you need to keep your distance. I’ve seen how you interact with him; you're smitten with the man, which is unacceptable.”
“But Father, you don’t know him. Levi’s a good man. He’s kind, honest, and—”
“It doesn’t matter what you think of him. He's not equal to your social standing. Besides, it’s time for you to do your duty. You're to marry Andy Wilson for the betterment of the family.”
“But I’m worried about what townsfolk have been saying concerning Mr. Wilson. Are you aware of the rumors being spread that he hurt his first wife? Some are even asserting he was responsible for her death.”
“You need to ignore everyone’s misgivings. People enjoy exaggerating the truth. Your only job is to listen and do as I say. Do I make myself clear?”
“Yes, Father, I understand what you require of me.”
“Good. I expect you to work with Ada to plan your wedding so that when we finish completing the marriage contract, we can get this underway. I have two appointments in town, but I'll be back in time for supper.”
Footsteps headed towards Levi and quickly he ducked into the nearest room. He didn’t want either of them realizing he had been listening to their conversation. When he was sure no one was around, he returned the Bible, and left the Larsen home taking his belongings to the bunkhouse.
Once Levi put away his possessions, he made his way over to the Long Reach Saloon to check in with Clyde. The older, grey-haired man was at the counter, pouring drinks and keeping customers content.
Levi sidled up to the far end of the bar and waited for Clyde to approach.
“You appear to be mending well,” Clyde stated as he handed Levi a sarsaparilla.
He glanced at the non-alcoholic beverage in gratitude, grateful he didn’t have to avoid drinking libations in front of the other man again. Levi took a long sip of the drink. He let the coolness slide down his throat before speaking. “I’ve returned to the bunkhouse and will start work tomorrow. I should get back on track and have the information we seek within days.”
Clyde nodded. “That’s good. We need to finish this job and move on. There's talk about a large bounty on some bank robbers in Oklahoma. It'd be a mighty big pay day for us.”
Levi’s hand squeezed tight around the bottle he held as he took in a deep breath. “I told you, Clyde, this will be my last job.”
“I assumed you weren't serious about that. Figured you'd change your mind once all those bucks hit your hand.”
“Money isn’t everythin’, Clyde,” he objected. “I want to settle down and start a family, but I can’t do that if I’m travelin’ all the time trackin’ down bounties.”
With a shake of his head, the older man said, “We’ll see. You speak like you know what you want, and I’m betting a large part of this has to do with that Larsen girl.” Levi started to object, but Clyde stopped him with his hand. “Don’t try to tell me any different. The men around here talk about how you rescued her, and the time you spent in that house with her. You’ve gone and got soft over a woman.”
“It doesn’t even matter how I feel. Her father would never approve of me courting her. I overheard him say so right before I came here.”
“Well, for once, I agree with a rich, old coot. You don’t belong with the likes of her. Our kind and their kind don’t mix. It’s a lesson that’s as old as time. The sooner you realize and quit shootin’ for the stars, the better off you’ll be.”
Levi didn’t like his partner’s advice, but part of him realized it was what most people believed. He had no reason to hope for a future with a woman like Abigail Larsen. But even if her future didn’t lie with him, she still deserved to be safe, prompting Levi to inquire, “Have you heard any information about Andy Wilson?”
Both of Clyde’s thick black brows scrunched up on his forehead as he probed in return, “Now what has gone and piqued your interest in a man like that? He’s got nothing to do with our bounty.”
“True, but I still need to know what you’ve heard.”
“Because of the Larsen girl again, right?”
“Can you just answer the question.”
With a heavy huff, Clyde answered, “He’s got a rotten temper. Seen him in here a handful of times. When he gambles, he hates to lose and everyone around pays for it when it happens. He also drinks a lot, and it makes his temper even worse.”
Levi inhaled sharply as worry pricked his heart. That wasn’t the sort of man he wanted Abigail to marry. What was wrong with her father? Wasn't it his job to protect her from such men?
“Is that it?” Levi asked, almost not wanting to pose the query.
“No, but you won't like it,” Clyde warned.
“What?”
“There's whispers he caused the death of his late wife—that he got drunk one night and pushed her down the stairs.”
This time, Levi would have sworn his heart stopped beating altogether at the news. What was he going to do? Where there was smoke, there was fire. How could he let the woman he cared for end up with a despicably dangerous man?
Fifteen
The day was hot and sticky, prompting Abigail to pack her fan in her purse for the day. Though Rockwood Springs Church was adorned with several stained glass windows, they were decorative providing no relief from the warm summer months.
Abigail also gathered her parasol after pinning her blue hat into place which matched her satin dress with white trim. She took a final glance in the mirror, then tucked two loose tendrils back into place before making her way out of the house. It had taken some convincing on her end—telling her father it would be good for her to keep up appearances—but he had agreed to let her go to church.
As she reached the bottom steps of the porch, she headed east towards town. As she walked along the dirt road away from the ranch, her mind drifted to Levi. She wondered what he was doing? Was he thinking of her?
Several minutes into her walk, she heard Levi’s voice behind her. “Abigail, wait for me.”
She stopped and turned, watching as he approached. “Are you headed into town?” she inquired.
He nodded. “I asked Phillip Moore what time church started and he told me. I decided I wanted to attend this morning. Do you mind if I walk with you?”
As they walked towards town again, Abigail looked over at him. She wondered about his past. “From where do y
ou hail?”
“I was born in Charleston, but my parents died when I was a teenager. I’ve been on my own ever since.”
“That must have been difficult,” Abigail stated with sympathy.
“I don’t ponder it much.” Levi glanced at her and inquired, “What about you? I hear you returned from a fancy school back east somewhere?”
“My father sent me to a finishing school in Boston after my mother died.”
“Did you like it?” Levi inquired.
“Parts of it,” Abigail confessed, “but other parts were difficult.”
“What do you mean?”
She looked at him with an arched eyebrow. “You sure ask a lot of questions.”
He shrugged. “I’m a naturally curious person. I do it without even thinkin’.” Levi gave her a knowing smile and added, “And good job on tryin' to dodge the question. I still want to know the answer to what you did and didn’t like about your time away.”
“I enjoyed my time when I wasn’t in classes. I could go to church for the first time in my life—my family isn’t religious—and spending time with other women that were more open-minded was refreshing.”
“Well, that sounds mighty fine. What didn’t you like then?”
“I didn’t like that the head mistress and my instructors expected me to act and think a certain way. They acted as if there was a predetermined pattern I needed to follow to measure up to society’s standards.”
“I can understand why that would be frustratin’. You don’t seem like you would like to be told what to do.”
“No, you’re right on that account, but I also have little choice in the matter.”
“Some men can’t handle when a woman speaks her mind,” Levi pointed out. “That says more about the man than the woman.”
A few minutes later, they arrived at church and headed inside. Heads turned as they entered.
“Everyone is lookin' at us,” Levi whispered.