Lucy pleated her dress nervously. “Could I put Eileen to bed? She’s exhausted.”
“Of course, dear girl.” His father turned to Nate. “Show her to the little guest room, son. The coffee should be ready by the time you get back.”
Nate had been watching for an opportunity to talk to her alone all evening. The candle in his hand cast a flickering light ahead of them as he led her up the stairs and down the hall. He pushed open the door to the smallest guest room. Lucy slipped past him into the room. A blue quilt his mother had made covered the bed, and a small cot was pushed up against the wall.
“I’ll be outside the door. Let me know when you’re ready to go back to the parlor.” He closed the door and leaned against the wall. The soothing murmur of her voice to the little girl sounded motherly. He heard her singing in a low, sweet voice for several minutes, then the door opened and Lucy stepped into the hall.
She eased the door shut. “She’s asleep.”
He took a step closer and lowered his voice. “I want to know what’s going on.”
Lucy lifted her chin toward him. “I don’t think you do, Mr. Stanton. You’re not going to be happy about it.”
The certainty in her voice alarmed him. “I’ve seen your kind blow through here before. You’re just out for all the money you can bleed out of Pa, but you’ll have to go through me first,” he said, gritting his teeth. “So why don’t you just pack your things and get out before you get hurt?”
Lucy smiled wearily. “It’s a bit late for that.”
“You can’t mean you actually care for Pa. He’s an old man.”
“It’s not what you think.”
“Oh, I think it is.” He spun around and stormed out of the room. He hadn’t handled that well. She’d stayed too calm, as if she knew something he didn’t. Had Pa already given her money?
Moments later Lucy joined them in the parlor. Nate stood, staring morosely out the window at the driving snow. He turned when she entered the room and glared at her. He thought he saw tears shimmering on the tips of her lashes, but he had to be imagining it. She was much too calculating to cry.
His father rubbed his hands together. “Ah, Nate, I’ve got some explaining to do.”
Nate gave him an ironic smile. “I reckon so, Pa.”
Pa stared at him with a steady gaze and a hint of compassion in his eyes. “This is Lucy, your wife.”
NATE’S FACE WAVERED through the tears that rimmed Lucy’s eyes. He hadn’t spoken since his father told him that he had a wife. She had felt a thrill of joy at the first sight of her handsome husband, so strong, so manly, his feet planted apart like the king of his realm here in Texas. But with his rejection of her, all those hopeful wonderings had vanished like yesterday’s sunshine.
“You mean your wife,” Nate corrected.
But his lips went white, and shocked comprehension settled over his face. She wished she could take her trunk and run off. Find her family and not face this man’s wrath. She twisted her hands together.
Mr. Stanton shook his head. “No, son, I mean your wife. It’s time you settled down and saw to raising a family. I won’t be around to help you forever. You need a passel of strong sons to build our cattle empire.”
Nate sank onto the sofa, and the lines deepened in his tanned face. “Pa, what have you done?” he whispered.
Mr. Stanton hunched his shoulders and raised his voice. “If I waited for you to find a wife, I’d be too old to enjoy my grandchildren. Lucy here, she’s a good Christian girl. She’ll make you a fine wife.”
Lucy saw the shudder that passed through Nate’s frame. A lump grew in her throat. Did he find her so unattractive? She had no claim to great beauty, but he had barely glanced her way to even know what she looked like.
Nate waved a hand in her direction. “Look at her, Pa! What were you thinking? The work here is hard. The vision we’ve talked about will take a woman who can carry her own weight.”
Lucy’s tears dried up with the bolt of rage that shot through her. She drew herself up to her full height of just under five feet and glared at her new husband. “I’m stronger than I look, Mr. Stanton. I’ve worked long hours at the dressmaker’s shop, and I’m not afraid of hard work. I can tackle any chores you care to throw my way.”
She was wasting her breath. He was determined not to give her a chance. She could see it in the hard line of his jaw and the fierce glare in his eyes. But something inside her screamed to be allowed to prove her worth. To take control of this situation. She would prove to him her value. He would see just how capable she was.
“I can learn to do anything. And I’m a good homemaker and organizer. You’ll see.”
The muscles in his jaw hardened. “You aren’t staying long enough to find out, Miss Marsh. I aim to put you on the first stage back north.”
“We are married,” she reminded him. “I don’t believe in divorce.” He would not send her away. She had a brother and sister to care for. Her appearance might disgust him, but marriage was more than physical appearance.
He took a deep breath. “Neither do I. But this is no real marriage. I never agreed to any such arrangement.” He turned and frowned at his father. “You should have known better, Pa.”
Henry was pale but resolute. “For once in your life, listen to me, Nate. This ranch needs a woman’s touch. You need a woman to soften you before you turn to granite.”
“If you want a woman around the house so bad, you marry her,” Nate shot back.
“That advice is a little late,” Lucy said. “I’m married to you.”
Mr. Stanton opened his mouth to speak, then gasped and clutched his left shoulder. His face turned red and darkened to nearly purple before the color drained from his face, and a gargle escaped his open mouth.
“Pa?” Nate’s voice rose, and he jumped to his feet and rushed toward his father. Henry Stanton reeled away, crashing to the floor like a great tree felled by a logger’s ax.
Lucy bit back a shriek and ran toward her new father-in-law. Nate rolled Henry over onto his back and peered into his face. The older man was still breathing, but his pallor was pronounced and he was unconscious.
“Let me.” Lucy pushed her way closer to Henry. “I know something of nursing. Is there a doctor in the area?”
Nate nodded. “Doc Cooper in Larson.”
“Send Percy to fetch him, and you help me get him into bed.” She checked Henry’s breathing and was relieved to see a bit of color coming back to his face. She snatched a quilted throw from the chair and tucked it around him.
Bellowing for Percy, Nate ran to do what she said. Lucy pressed her fingertips against her father-in-law’s chest and frowned at Henry’s irregular heartbeat. He’d had some kind of a heart spasm.
“Please, God, please keep him alive,” she whispered.
If this man died, she would be at the mercy of her new husband.
Nate returned and lifted his father’s shoulders. “Grab his feet.”
Lucy complied and Jed jumped in to assist as well. They carried him up the stairs. Lucy’s muscles protested, but she held on to his inert body and managed to do her part.
“His room is the first on the left,” Nate said.
Lucy pushed open the door with her foot, and they laid Henry on the bed. Her muscles still burned even though they’d been relieved of the burden. Nate jerked his father’s boots off.
Lucy pulled the quilts up around him. “We need to keep him warm.”
Nate nodded, then ran his hand through his sandy blond hair. His gray eyes held a deep fear that tore at Lucy’s heart. She laid a hand on his arm. “We should pray for him.”
He nodded again and moved so her hand fell away. She couldn’t help the stab of disappointment at his rejection of her comfort. Bowing her head, she prayed aloud for this man she’d already come to admire and care about.
When she lifted her head, she became aware that Jed and Eileen hovered at the doorway. She straightened her shoulders and moved away from Nate
. She had to be strong for the children’s sakes. “I’ll fix us all some tea.”
Nate grimaced. “I can’t abide that sissy drink, and I’m not about to start drinking it now.”
Hot words bubbled to her lips, but she choked them back. No wonder Henry had to find a wife for his son. No woman in her right mind would choose to put up with him.
Henry stirred and his eyes fluttered open. “Quit your wrangling,” he said in a weak voice. “I can’t endure petty quarreling.” He struggled to sit up. “Besides, the sight of Nate sipping tea like a woman would finish me off for sure. Fetch me some coffee. That’s all I need.”
“I’ll just be a moment.” Away from her new husband’s stern presence, she felt reprieved. She hurried down the stairs to the kitchen, with Jed and Eileen on her heels.
FIVE
When they reached the kitchen, Eileen tugged on Lucy’s skirt. “I don’t like it here, Lucy.” Tears rolled down her cheeks.
Lucy scooped Eileen up into her arms. “Hush, darling, it will be all right. There’s flour for biscuits and beefsteak for dinner. That’s more than we had in Wabash. I know it’s going to be an adjustment, but let’s wait and see how things are tomorrow. We’re all at sixes and sevens with Mr. Stanton’s illness and the long trip. I’ll make sure things work out for you both.”
Jed crossed his arms and glowered at her. “Mr. Nate acts like this was all your fault. Is he going to send us back?”
Lucy had been wondering the same thing, but she managed to smile. “Nate is just shocked at what his father has done. It will be fine once he gets used to the idea.”
She hoped that was true. She was willing to give Nate the benefit of the doubt, but her charity was growing thin. The thought of their tiny home, rude though it might be, filled her with a sense of nostalgia and longing.
But no. Danger lurked in Indiana. She had cut ties and no one knew where they were. It was better that way. This was a new start away from whatever danger had come calling.
Lucy put Eileen down and surveyed the kitchen. Dingy cotton covered the open shelves. A teakettle and coffeepot sat atop the wood cookstove, blackened by years of abuse. The wooden table was battered and smooth with use. She peered into the coffeepot and the dark liquid inside smelled horrible. But then, the entire kitchen reeked of stale food.
Wrinkling her nose at the strong smell, she poured the black coffee into a cup. She eyed it. Maybe she should see if it was any good. She took a cautious sip and shuddered at the bitterness. From the strong, acrid taste, it must have been made this morning. There was no time to make fresh though. A sugar container was on the table, so she took it, then stirred some sugar into the cup.
Sugar. What a luxury. There seemed to be plenty too. She dipped her finger into the coffee and tasted it. Shivering at the still-bitter taste, she added more sugar, then poured another cup for Nate and added sugar to that cup also. At least it might be drinkable now.
“Watch your sister,” she told Jed.
She carried the coffee back to Henry’s bedroom. He was sitting up against the pillows. Though Henry looked wan and weak, his eyes were not so dull. He took the coffee eagerly, and she handed the other cup to Nate. Both men took a big gulp. Nate’s eyes widened and he choked but managed to keep it down. His father was not so charitable. Sputtering, Henry spewed the coffee from his mouth. The dark liquid pooled on the quilt in front of him.
The eyes he turned to Lucy were full of reproach. “Sugar! You put sugar in my coffee?”
“I’m sorry.” Lucy took a step back toward the door. “It was bitter. I think it was old.”
Nate wiped his mouth. “It’s supposed to be bitter.” He took the cup from his father and brushed by Lucy on his way to the door. “She doesn’t know coffee from syrup. You should send her back to where she came from.”
Henry scowled. “Lucy is your wife, and the sooner you adjust to that fact, the better.”
Nate put a hand on his hip. “She’s not my wife, Pa. I never gave you permission to bring me back a bride.”
“You signed a proxy statement, Nate. It’s all legal, and you’d best make the most of it.”
“The proxy was to sell cattle! Not marry me off.”
The two men glared at one another, and Lucy thought they looked like two roosters squaring off for a fight. If she had the nerve, she’d douse them both with cold water. They deserved it. Henry for bringing her here without telling her his son hated women, and Nate for not giving her a chance to prove herself. Well, she would show them. She wasn’t afraid of hard work, and when Nate realized it, his apology would be sweet.
Still lost in a pleasant daydream of Nate groveling at her feet, she didn’t notice Henry’s gray color until he choked. Sinking weakly back against the pillows, he clutched his left arm again. Lucy started to his side, but Nate beat her to it.
Drops of perspiration beaded Henry’s face. “Quit fussing,” he muttered. He rallied a bit and clenched his son’s hand. “Promise me you’ll try to care for your new wife, Nate,” he whispered. “If I thought I’d done anything to harm her and those children, I would turn over in my grave.”
Nate patted his father’s shoulder. “You’re not going to die, Pa.”
Henry tried to rise in the bed. “Promise me.”
Nate stilled, and his shoulders slumped. “I promise.” He shot a dark glance toward Lucy as if it were her fault his father was so insistent.
“I want her and the children to move in with you. I’m not sure the noise would be good for the old ticker.” Henry’s voice was weak, but the odd gleam in his eye made Lucy wonder if he was using the situation to his own advantage. “Once I’m well, we’ll see about getting you a decent house for a family.”
Nate’s brows drew together, but he nodded. “Whatever you want, Pa.” The look from his gray eyes as he turned toward Lucy was anything but meek.
The time ticked by slowly. When Lucy had finally begun to wonder what had become of the doctor, he came bustling in. A stringy man with grizzled hair, Doc Cooper reminded Lucy of a miner rather than a doctor.
“What’s this nonsense, Henry? You’re too ornery to die on us. Let’s take a look at you.” Dr. Cooper jerked his head at Nate, Lucy, and the children, and they obeyed the silent admonition to leave him alone with Henry.
EILEEN RUBBED HER eyes and leaned back against her brother in the rocker. “I don’t like our new brother. I want to go home.”
Holding her, Jed gave the rocker a push with his foot and somehow managed to give her a reassuring smile when he wanted to tell her they’d just pack up and leave. “We have to make the best of it. We don’t have anywhere else to go right now.”
Lucy had told him they had an uncle in the area. Maybe they could find him and he’d help Lucy get a job. Jed too. He could stock shelves or something at the general store. Maybe take care of horses. He liked horses.
“Is our new grandpa going to die?” Eileen asked.
“I hope not.” Jed looked around the ranch. As far as he could see, there were cattle grazing on a thousand hills. Several whitewashed barns were in the back lot and fences penned in a remuda of horses. A few chickens pecked in the dirt in the side lot by the barn. He’d never been in a place where he felt so alone. No city, no people. Just the big, blue sky overhead and the sense that he could see forever.
Eileen tugged on his shirtsleeve. “Look, Jed, kittens.”
Half a dozen kittens played in the dirt by the barn door. “I see them.” He slid off the rocker and set her on her feet, then took her hand. “Let’s go look around.”
Even the dirt was different here. Dry and dusty. It left a fine red layer on his shoes as he led his sister across the scrubby yard. While his sister knelt and cooed at the kittens, he studied the landscape back here and imagined himself riding the low-lying hills. His friends back in Wabash would be envious if they could see him now. They had read of the exploits of Jesse James and Cole Younger and dreamed they would be the hero to bring them down. He pretended to draw
a gun from a holster and shoot at the chicken pecking near the water trough. If that had been Jesse James, he would have nailed him.
A horse’s nicker from inside the barn caught his attention. He walked into the cool, dim building. A beautiful gray horse stared at him from a stall. He’d never seen a horse so fine.
He touched the horse’s nose and found it soft. Its lips nuzzled his chin. “I don’t have any sugar for you.” A bag of oats hung on the far wall. He took a handful from the sack and held his cupped palm to the horse. A thrill shot through him when the horse ate it. If only he could have this horse. It was love at first sight.
When a sound came behind him, he assumed it was Eileen until he smelled an unfamiliar hair tonic. When he turned, he saw no one.
“Hello?”
No one answered him, and if it weren’t for the spicy scent still in the air, he would have thought he had imagined it. That smell . . . Terror enveloped him and he couldn’t move. Why was he so afraid? It was only hair tonic.
He swallowed hard and shuffled his feet. With the paralysis broken, he listened. The hair on the back of his neck prickled at the ominous silence. He wanted to run, but he was part of this family now. If the man wasn’t answering, then he was up to no good. Jed took a pitchfork in his shaking hands and sidled toward the darker areas of the barn. He pushed each stall open with the tool.
When he was in the last stall, he heard Eileen call his name. He whipped around to make sure she was okay, but when a rustle came behind him, he knew he was in trouble. He half turned, but a blow came out of nowhere and knocked him to his knees.
His ears rang and he nearly blacked out. He shook his head and staggered to his feet in time to catch a glimpse of a man’s jeans and boots disappearing out of the stall.
“Eileen, run!” He stumbled to the front barn door. When he exited into the sunshine, he blinked to clear his vision. Eileen was picking up the kittens as though she were trying to save them too. At least that man hadn’t hurt her.
Blue Moon Promise Page 4