Boot steps on the stairs caught her attention. Was it Zach, or had Rusty and Frank slipped in while he was busy?
A gentle rap on the door preceded Zach’s announcement. “It’s me, and my brother’s with me.” He opened the door.
The man who followed him looked near enough like Zach to sure enough be a twin. Zach carried a bundle and Joel a hatbox.
Zach made the introductions. “Let’s get loaded. We can get to my place by supper.”
Joel stopped. He raised his eyebrows and stared at her hair.
A nudge from Zach and Joel said, “Our aunts sent a basket of food. We can eat while we’re on our way.”
Now that he was up close, she could tell Joel was the older brother. He wore a neatly trimmed mustache while Zach was cleanshaven. Joel was maybe a half-inch shorter than Zach. Before Zach’s accident, she bet people confused the two.
“Aunt Maggie loaned you this she calls an Ulster.” Zach unfurled his bundle and helped her don the coat.
The long, gray garment almost reached the floor. Though the fit across the breasts was a mite tight, the double-breasted front would add warmth when buttoned up to her chin. Slender sleeves hugged her arms to her wrists, but left room to easily bend her arms. The simple hood would be handy to cover the wearer’s bonnet in wet weather. She figured the fair-sized pockets on each side and one small one on the left sleeve would be helpful for shopping or travel. Imagine owning a coat like this one. She wondered if she’d need one when she reached Atlanta.
Alice stood in front of the mirror and fastened the buttons. “Reckon I’ve never seen a coat as beautiful as this one.”
“And though the coat has a hood, Aunt Maggie said this bonnet matches.” Joel produced a bonnet from the box. “I’ll have to take her word for it.” He smiled and mischief twinkled in his eyes the same color as Zach’s. “Guess it’ll come in handy.”
“That was real nice of your aunts.” Blushing, she looked at Zach for help. How could she explain her mistake with the walnut dye without giving away their secrets?
“Alice was trying to enhance her appearance before meeting me, and made a small miscalculation.” His mouth twitched into a grin.
Seth stared from one person to the other, as if watching a play. “Makes a good disguise, don’t it?”
Joel’s gaze grew speculative as he studied her. “Does for a fact, that is if she needs a disguise.”
She adjusted the bonnet, searching her brain for something to allay Joel’s suspicions. Nothing came to mind. Best to just get on with leaving this place. “Looks like we’re all set now.”
“That we are.” Zach gathered as much as he could carry. “Seth, you’re in charge of Harry and your clothes. Joel, make yourself handy and get the rest of our gear.”
“Hey, since when do I take orders from my little brother?” Joel laughed and gathered up saddlebags and closed the door behind them.
When they stepped from the mercantile, the wind stole her breath. The earlier snow turned to diamonds in the sunlight. Alice was grateful for the long coat’s protection.
Two men waited at the wagon. Joel said, “Ma’am, this tall skinny fellow is Slim Carter and the other man is Bert Wells. They’d delivered a message from our baby brother when I received Zach’s wire, so they were nice enough to come with me.”
Zach hurried her into the covered wagon. He spread the bedroll atop the blankets already there, then seated her on the bed.
“I asked Joel to bring a bed, but he’s the one who thought up the brazier to take away the chill. At least in here you’ll be protected from the wind.”
“Thank you.” She coughed then gasped out, “I’ll be fine.” And she would as soon as she could lie down and curl up under the covers and sleep for a week.
Joel drove the covered wagon to the livery where Zach had left the buckboard carrying her treasure. She wanted to supervise, but knew she couldn’t stand long enough. Instead, she waited in seclusion. Quickly, some of the load was transferred to the new wagon. While they worked, Bert divided food from the basket so each had plenty for lunch. He passed around jars of water. She was amazed the water hadn’t frozen in the day’s cold, but Bert said he’d stored it by the brazier on the trip to Doyle
Soon they were on their way. Joel drove the wagon, and Alice rode in safety under the cover. The small brazier warmed the space a mite. Thankful she had a bed, she gratefully sat on it. Bert and Slim rode their horses on either side. She watched out the back where Zach guided the second wagon. Seth and Harry sat beside Zach.
When she was certain no one followed behind them, she removed the bonnet and coat, and laid them carefully at the foot of the bed. With a sigh, she crawled in and burrowed under the covers. The motion and repeat noises lulled her, but she feared sleep.
“No need to worry, Miss Price.” Joel said, as if he thought he divined her thoughts. “Zach and the boy are right behind us.”
“T-Thank you.” What else could she say? No point borrowin’ trouble, as Mama would say. But could her escape be this easy? She lowered her lids just for a second while she thought about getting away to Atlanta.
Someone shook her sore shoulder. “Miss Price, we’re almost at Zach’s place.”
“Already?” She sat up and looked up at Slim. “You were on a horse.”
“Yes, ma’am. I climbed onto the wagon when I seen we was near the house.”
“Oh, my, I must have slept for a spell.” She smoothed her hair back into the bun at her neck and reached for the gray velvet bonnet trimmed with a black bow.
“Yes, ma’am, ‘bout four hours. Seeing as how you’re awake, I’ll get out of your way now.” Slim clambered to the seat beside Joel.
She looked too rumpled to pass for a lady. Mama had said a lady never let herself look less than proper. Poor Mama, she’d be sad to see how far her daughter had fallen. She could feel her mother’s soulful gaze as if she were there. Could she be? Did the spirits of those who’d passed hover around the living? The thought of Mama staying near comforted her.
At least I’m wearing a dress, Mama. You’ll have to overlook the rest of me.
But Alice was as nervous as a flea at bath time. She shook her skirts and straightened her sleeves and bodice. She peered out the back at Zach, who smiled and touched the brim of his hat. Seth waved and she lifted her hand to return his gesture before she returned to sit on the bed.
Panic gripped her in steel claws. These aunts were bound to think she was too crazy for their nephew when they saw her green hair and out of style clothes.
Wasn’t that the idea?
Yes, but now that she was around decent folks, she wanted so much for them to like her. How could she be ornery enough to make them want her to leave? She shook her head. As many mistakes as she’d made lately, she reckoned they were bound to dislike her without her making an extra effort.
In front of the wagon she spotted a huge rock house. This place looked large enough for a hotel or boarding house. Never had she seen a home so large, but it reminded her of those Mama had described in Georgia. Except this one wasn’t made of red bricks, but rectangular stones in a soft cream with patches of gold and rust in places. In the bright sunlight, the building glowed like the castles she’d imagined as a girl.
There were no white columns like Mama had mentioned. Wood and stone pillars supported the wide balcony across the front that shaded the long porch. She wondered how many rooms were in this house, and bet there would be at least twelve, maybe more. Was this where Zach lived alone?
Gusts of cold wind pushed against the wagon cover, but she’d wager that house resisted all weather. And Zach Stone appeared as strong as his home. What would be her fate here?
She schooled her face to hide her fear, but how could she conceal her trembling hands?
Dear Lord, this is Your faithful servant Mary Alice Price, except You know that now I’m just plain Alice Price. I know You hate lies even more than I do, Lord, but I’m askin’ Your forgiveness for telling this big
one. I thank You for the help from Mr. Stone, Lord, and ask You to forgive him too.
She started to fold the blankets but stopped.
Oh, P.S., Lord, thank You for sending us to rescue Seth.
Before she could gather up and fold the bedding, the wagon halted.
Joel yelled, “Hello the house.”
The greeting surprised her. That’s what men yelled when they came to Pa’s ranch for a meal and rest. She suspected all of them had been up to no good and were on the run, but she didn’t ask Pa. Best to keep suspicions to herself, as Mama had told her many times.
Alice clung to the inside of the wagon as she made her way to the bench seat, careful to keep her skirts and borrowed coat from the brazier. Joel and Slim hopped down and Joel reached up to help her. When she was on firm ground, she thanked him and turned.
Two women who looked to be in their fifties waited on the porch, hugging their shawls against the cold. They were smiling and each looked welcoming. Behind them, another woman who might be a few years younger stared impassively.
Zach appeared and gently took her elbow to guide her forward. His voice so soft only she could hear, he said, “Don’t worry, now. Just remember why you’re here.”
From the other side, Seth tugged at her sleeve. “This is gonna be my new home with my new pa. Ain’t this something, Ma, I mean, Miss Price?”
“Yes, it is.” She’d had never imagined she would be able to recover her strength in a place this grand.
“Course my old house in town was bigger than this one, but we had to leave it when we decided to move and build that cabin.”
Zach leaned forward. “Remember our talk, Seth?”
Seth looked down and exhaled. “Now I do.”
By this time they were at the house. Zach made introductions. “Aunts, this is Miss Alice Price and this sprout is my new ranch hand, Seth Barnes. These are my aunts, Lizzie Mae Fraser and Maggie Jo Gamble. The lady hiding behind them is Mrs. Harmon. She’s the housekeeper and her husband Mick works on the ranch.”
Mrs. Harmon nodded politely. Both aunts tried to hug Alice at the same time, and pulled Seth into their embrace.
“All right, now, Alice, let’s get you inside where it’s warm.” She thought it was Maggie who spoke.
“Poor dear,” the other said and took her arm. “We’ll get you settled and then find some cookies and milk for this young man.”
Seth’s face brightened even more. “Cookies? My ma made me cookies once when we had supplies.”
Alice hardly took in the house as Zach urged her toward the stairs. “Wait, I have to see to my packs.” A coughing spasm seized her.
“I’ll make sure no one bothers anything of yours.” Zach scooped her up and carried her up the staircase.
“I could have walked,” she protested between rasps, but she was glad she didn’t have to.
“About three steps before you collapsed.” At the top of the stairs, he turned and walked into a room.
Wood blazed in the fireplace. Even with the dark blue curtains open, the room was blessedly warm. The stone walls had been plastered over and painted creamy white. A braided rag rug covered part of the plank flooring.
He set her in a ladderback chair, then turned down the blue and white quilt coverlet. “I’ll bring more of your things later. You go ahead and get your outer clothes off and climb in bed. I’ll send up one of my aunts if you need help.”
She fought her fatigue and sat up straight. “Reckon I’m old enough to get myself undressed and into bed without help.”
He touched an embroidered strip of cloth. “This bell pull rings in the kitchen. Just yank on it if you need anything.”
Alice stared at him then at the strip of cloth.
“Wires, Alice. It works with wires.”
She tilted her head. “Not magic, then?”
They exchanged smiles. His was crooked due to his scar, but he didn’t seem self-conscious with her any longer. His beautiful eyes twinkled. Sometimes they looked gray, but now they looked blue. Maybe they picked up color from the room’s blue decorations.
“Get to bed. Someone will check on you soon, likely one of my aunts. They won’t want me to see you in bed.”
“Humph. Then I reckon they’d be plenty shocked if they knew we shared your bedroll and the hotel’s bed.”
“That they would.” His eyes widened and his smile fled. “I’d better catch Seth alone so he doesn’t spill the beans.” He turned and closed the door behind him.
Chapter Fourteen
Alice awoke to the sensation of something cool on her forehead. An older, pleasant-looking woman leaned over her. Her face bore lines that testified to a lifetime of smiles, and her clear blue eyes shone with intelligence and compassion.
“So happy you’re awake, dear, even though you need lots of rest to get well. I’ve been bathing your face, hoping your fever would break, and I think it has for now.”
“You’re Zach’s aunt?”
“I’m Lizzie. My sister Maggie and I have been taking turns sitting with you.”
“Taking turns? How long have I been asleep?”
“A day, but we knew that’s what you needed most. We did rouse you to dose you with that tonic the doctor gave you. Humph. One we didn’t recognize. The other is laudanum, which is the reason you slept so soundly.”
Alice peered around the room. “Is there a chamber pot in here?”
“My, yes. Let me help you.” Lizzie’s arms encircled her shoulders and helped her rise.
Hovering over the receptacle took all her strength, even with assistance. When she was back between the covers, she released a sigh. Lizzie brought her a wet cloth to clean her hands.
“Now we must get some nourishment into you. I’ll just ring for my sister. She’s been waiting for word you’re awake.” Lizzie walked briskly to the wall and tugged the strip of cloth Zach had said rang a bell in the kitchen.
Alice still wondered that such a system existed in Texas. Mama had often told her of a life with servants who came when summoned. Perhaps it was because she was feeling so poorly, but just thinking about the harsh reality of her dear mother’s final years brought Alice into a valley of sorrow.
Lizzie patted her arm. “Now don’t look sad, dear. Sister and I will have you perked up in no time.”
“Thank you.” Alice blinked back tears. Pangs of guilt flashed through her. They were so kind and she would betray them. “Sorry I’m so much bother. Reckon you have enough to do without me to care for.”
“Nonsense, dear. You’re the reason we’re here. I can’t tell you how happy we are that Zach found you. Time that man settled down with a good woman.”
Oh, if only they knew. “Do you know where my belongings are?”
“Zach stored everything, but he brought up some clothes. We put the dresses in the wardrobe, and set out your brush and comb. Your necessaries are in the chest by the door. We would have done more for you, dear, but he insisted we wait until you could direct us.”
The door opened and Maggie strode in carrying a small tray. “I brought some broth to nourish you. We have to strengthen you so your wedding can proceed.” Maggie set the tray on the bedside table. “Let me help you sit up so you can eat more easily.”
Wedding. Another pang of guilt surged through her. She hated to mislead these two sweet ladies who were so good to her and so caring. What was she thinking to agree to such a scheme? Only of herself, of survival, of a place to recover without Frank and Rusty finding her.
“Thank you for the loan of your coat and bonnet. Warmest coat I’ve ever seen, and it sure helped.”
“You’re more than welcome. We’re so happy Zach finally settled on a woman. He has this big house and needs a wife to make it a home.”
Clasping her hands, Lizzie said, “We have lots planned. The minister will probably call since you can’t get to town and church yet. A neighbor or two might drop in also. And the ladies are coming to quilt two weeks from Tuesday. ‘Course you won’t be co
mpletely well by then, but we hope you’ll be feeling perky enough to come down and sew with us.”
Alice was surprised there were women near enough to come for a visit. None had ever come to Pa’s place. Heavenly stars. Much as she always longed to attend a true quilting bee, sewing with neighbors now was the last thing she’d want to do.
“What day is this?”
“Why, it’s Friday.” Maggie set the tray on Alice’s lap.
Alice picked up the spoon and ladled the nourishment into her mouth. She paused long enough to ask, “How many women will be coming to quilt?”
Lizzie tapped a forefinger against her chin. “Let’s see, Zach’s sister-in-law Hope plans to be here if the baby isn’t teething. Then there’s her Aunt Sofia, Theresa, the Wilson sisters and their mother...who else, Sister?”
“I think there will be several more. Word gets around. But remember Theresa’s with child. She might not feel like riding over here.” Maggie turned back to Alice. “Theresa Henderson’s husband owns the newspaper and this is their first. She’s suffering from queasy stomach and may not be up to leaving home.”
“She and her husband live with his parents, the Judge and his wife.” Lizzie appeared impressed. “Anyway, as Sister said, word gets around and we’ll likely have eight or nine ladies here. Do you sew?”
Alice swallowed the last of her soup. “Yes. Mama spoke of quilting bees, but I’ve never been to one.” While she answered, she was thinking about the Judge’s daughter-in-law coming to quilt, the woman married to the newspaperman. This woman could cause big trouble. Alice tangled deeper and deeper into a web of lies. How long could she keep up the deception?
Her head throbbed and she had difficulty keeping up with all Maggie and Lizzie told her, but ‘word gets around’ drummed in her head. She pushed the tray aside. “The broth was delicious. Thank you.”
“You go to sleep now. This afternoon, we’ll get you over to the chair by the window. We can talk more then.”
“Tomorrow we’ll wash your hair, dear. When people call, I know you want to look your best.”
High Stakes Bride, Men of Stone Mountain Book 2 Page 9