The Mail Order Bride's Secret

by Linda Broday

  Melanie and the children were his top priority. He’d protect them or die trying.

  * * *

  By the end of the following week, the new house’s frame had almost all come together. Melanie loved to sit and watch them work, adding board by board. Excitement sizzled under her skin to think that the dream she’d long had would finally come true—a house, flowers, a garden. All her own. Permanence. Guilt washed over her at times about failing Ava, and there were days when she didn’t think of her sister at all.

  Tait climbed a ladder, and her breath caught. He’d shed his shirt in the warm afternoon sun. His body was nice and tanned, and muscles rippled across his back.

  Melanie smiled to herself. She’d felt those muscles under her hand.

  Although she’d climbed the bluff alone several times, she’d been unable to find the buried money or any sign that Tait had been digging. If she didn’t find the stolen loot soon, the judge would send someone else to threaten her. A shudder raced through her at the thought.

  Or he might come himself…and bring an army to get Tait.

  And that fear that was like a steel band squeezing around her heart haunted her day and night.

  They could kill him. The wanted poster said dead or alive, so no one would be too particular. She thought of Lucy, and tears burned her eyes. Her mind was doubly set. She’d never turn Tait over to them. They could rot in hell.

  Becky squatted, playing in the dirt. Such a sweet child. She needed a mother, a real one. The child grinned up at her with brown teeth. “Eat.”

  “Oh, good Lord! Don’t eat the dirt,” Melanie scolded. “It might have poop in it.” With all the horses, goats, and dogs roaming around, there was no telling what it contained. “How about I wash you up and we go visit one of the new babies?”

  Just then, the sound of hooves reached her ears. A second later, one of the twins galloped by, hanging onto the pommel, his body against the side of the horse. Melanie gasped, afraid to breathe for fear he’d fall under the animal. The kids practiced for that blasted circus every spare minute. But this was dangerous, far more so than their other tricks, and one of them was going to get hurt—and that was assuming they didn’t hurt someone else. What else did they have up their sleeves? She’d be glad once they gave their performance and it was all over.

  Tait climbed down the ladder and walked over to give her a light kiss. “How are my girls?”

  “Having a heart attack. Did you see that horse pass by with either Joe or Jesse hanging on the side?”

  Tait laughed. “Pretty good, isn’t he?”

  “Tait Trinity, you need to put a stop to this, or we’ll be dealing with broken bones.”

  “All kids do things like that. It’s a rite of passage. That same trick saved me from getting shot full of holes riding away from a train.” He brushed her cheek with a callused finger. “You worry too much. Didn’t you and your sister ever try trick riding?”

  “Nope. Father would’ve tanned our hide. Besides, he never let us get dirty.” Melanie had always wanted to play in the dirt and make mud pies but had never been allowed to get close.

  “More’s the pity. He robbed you of a childhood.” He glanced toward some riders who had just stopped by the guard at the town’s entrance. Melanie noticed his sharp gaze that took in every new arrival. He never stopped being on watch. “I’ll need to check those men out.”

  “You think it’s Berringer or his sons?”

  “Maybe. At any rate, I’ll check their horses’ hooves.” He brought his attention back to her. “I’ll speak to the boys about galloping through town like that. It’s dangerous for the rest of us. I’ll have to come up with a new place for them to practice though.”

  “Thank you, Tait.” Melanie stretched to kiss his cheek, resting a palm on the warm skin of his bare chest. Tingles raced through her. This man made her knees weak and her blood heated. But it would all end soon enough. Her stomach twisted at the thought.

  Why did life have to be so hard? Why did she have to destroy one to save the other?

  Why couldn’t she love him as she wanted without fear of her sister suffering?

  Or dying.

  Eighteen

  In the days that followed, Tait kept checking each new set of horse hooves without finding a match. Work progressed on their house, and Tait spent many a pleasurable night with Melanie. He enjoyed making love and counted the days until they’d be able to do it in their own home.

  He let Melanie pick out their furniture and ordered it. With luck it would arrive about the time the house itself was finished.

  He was growing weary of hotel living, and the strain showed on Melanie’s face as well. She needed her own things around her.

  From what he’d seen, women were a lot like mama birds. They liked to build a nest and happily settle into it, and the feeling only got stronger once they found themselves in the family way.

  He froze. She could be with child and not even know it.

  An unexpected burst of happiness washed over him. He wanted to be a father one day. He hadn’t felt good about that idea in a long time. The thought jarred him. Despite what he’d told Melanie about not wanting children, he might welcome a little son or daughter that he could mold into a responsible, caring person.

  But not now. Not while they lived with so much uncertainty.

  Before he could block the memory, Lucy’s image hanging from the crossbar swam in his vision. The force of it knocked him backward. He grabbed onto the hitching rail in front of the saloon, inhaling great gulps of air until he could force the picture away.

  However much strength it took, he couldn’t let that happen again. He had to protect Melanie and the kids. To lose them would finish destroying him.

  Tait stayed sharp and kept his hands occupied.

  When he wasn’t working on the house, he was helping the children practice their trick riding. He moved them outside the town and kept watch while they perfected their performances. Melanie was going to have a conniption when she saw the trick Jesse had planned. Tait grinned at the thought.

  Kern Berringer was taking his sweet time showing up. But there were days when the hair rose on the back of Tait’s neck and his gut told him the man was lurking nearby. Watching. Waiting. Plotting.

  Yeah, he wasn’t far away.

  Experience told him Kern was waiting for the right opening. Once they relaxed and let their guard down, he’d strike. Hondo left Earl Berringer under Jack’s watchful eye and returned to Flat Rock to take care of some business, saying he’d be back soon.

  Finally, the calendar turned over to Saturday, September 3, 1881, and excitement rippled in the air. The boys were as jumpy as frog legs in a hot skillet and could hardly wait to perform their circus for the town.

  “Do we hafta eat today?” Joe asked. “My stomach doesn’t want food.”

  “Mine either,” Jesse declared. “You don’t want us puking all over everything, do you?”

  “Can’t say as I do.” Tait buttoned Becky’s shoes.

  Melanie strolled into the room in another new dress that Tait had bought for her, and his heart stuttered. This one was a vibrant green fitted creation that emphasized her figure to perfection. Oh yes, he liked buying her new clothes.

  Lured by her fetching dimples, Tait rose and wrapped her in his arms. “You look good enough to eat. I don’t want food either, but I’ll bet you can guess what I do want.”

  Her turquoise eyes sparkled. “I think I do. No hints needed, but it’ll have to wait.” She stepped from him. “Boys, you have to drink something regardless of not eating.”

  “No time,” Joe protested. “We hafta get the horses and other animals ready and go over everything with the boys. Lots of work to do.”

  “It can wait.” Tait sympathized with them, but he knew which side his bread was buttered on. “You heard your aunt. You’ll dr
ink something nourishing.”

  Becky patted his face. “Me eat.”

  He could always count on her. He scooped her up and tickled her. “Breakfast on the way for you, little lady.”

  The sullen boys went through the door when Tait opened it. “It’ll only take a few minutes and then you can leave,” he whispered. Then he winked at Melanie and put an arm around her, glad that the circus would soon be over and things could return to normal.

  Tonight, he’d have fun removing that pretty dress and sate the hunger inside him.

  * * *

  Melanie unexpectedly found herself with some free time that morning. She’d been watching Tait’s movements and had twice seen him coming from the little valley where they grew their crops very late at night. It occurred to her that he might’ve hidden his loot somewhere in there.

  It wouldn’t take her long to do some digging. She’d be back in plenty of time.

  With Tait riding herd on the kids, she sneaked into the barn for a shovel. Keeping her head low and walking fast, she crept behind the buildings. Every noise made her jump. If she got caught, she would have no excuse for carrying a shovel.

  Halfway to the valley, she had to stop and rest. She hadn’t realized it was so far, and the warm sun soaked her in sweat.

  Melanie found a shady spot and sat down. Her heart thundered, and her mouth was like cotton. The danger of being discovered stretched her nerves thin. But time grew short. McIlroy wouldn’t wait much longer.

  Conscious of the time, she rose and reached the entrance to the valley where wheat, corn, and other crops filled the barren landscape with beauty.

  After scanning the area, she decided the most promising spot was at the edge where someone had deliberately stacked three flat rocks. To her it signaled that they’d marked the spot for some reason. Renewed by hope, she plunged the shovel into the hard, rocky ground.

  Twenty minutes later, she had nothing to show for her efforts except blisters on her palms and a small hole in the ground. Defeated, she sank down, dropping the shovel. Tears burned the backs of her eyes, and a thick lump blocked her air passage. This was impossible. Why had she agreed to this?

  Ava, that’s why. This was about freeing her sister. She had to remember that.

  She heard voices and ducked into the field of corn, hiding among the tall stalks. And just in time. Travis and Ridge appeared. They stopped to inspect the small hole she’d dug.

  “I wonder who’s been digging. This is odd.” Ridge picked up the shovel.

  Travis laughed. “Probably some of those boys would be my guess. Not sure what they’d be looking for though.”

  “Pirate treasure?” Ridge chuckled. “An imagination is a powerful thing.”

  “Let’s gather those stalks for the kids and get back. I don’t want to miss this circus. Ely and Jenny would have my hide.”

  The two men reached for the stalks that were bare of corn and broke them off. Their arms full, they picked up the shovel and returned to the town. Melanie waited a little bit to make sure they weren’t coming back and then crept from her hiding place.

  This would be all of her digging. She was convinced that Tait had hidden the loot outside Hope’s Crossing and she’d never find it. She bit back a sob and wiped her tears.

  * * *

  After dressing Becky in a cute cowgirl outfit Tait had bought, he and Melanie dropped her off at the church where the contestants had assembled. At one o’clock sharp, everyone took their seats in the chairs that had been brought in from the saloon and all their houses. An arena had been set up and decorated in front of the church that doubled as the school.

  Melanie took his hand. “I wish I knew what they had planned for Becky to do.”

  “Don’t worry, sweetheart, I’m sure it’s something safe.” He was reasonably sure anyway. With the twins, you never knew.

  He glanced at the town’s entrance, satisfied the guards were on duty. Maybe Kern and his boys would try something today with everyone’s focus on the children.

  “I’ll be back in a moment.” Tait headed over to speak to Jack and Clay. “How’s it looking?”

  Jack crossed his arms. “Ridge volunteered for guard duty, and if Berringer comes, he’ll handle it. No one’s better with a gun.”

  Tait didn’t know the man that well, but he trusted Jack’s judgment.

  “I’ll keep an eye out after Violet gets finished with her part in the circus.” Clay rubbed the back of his neck. “Frankly, I’m a nervous wreck, considering she can’t see. Tally is too, even though she says she’s not.”

  Jack glanced toward the church where all the children had assembled. “The girl will do fine, Clay. Violet’s able to do things some people with good vision can’t. You know that.”

  Mrs. Truman walked to a piano they’d hauled outside and began to play.

  “Hell, I think we’re all jittery about her performance.” Tait scanned the crowd, glad to see the turnout. “Guess we’d better go sit down. It’s starting.”

  Melanie gave him a bright smile when he returned to her side. “Is everything all right?”

  “Seems to be.”

  Twelve-year-old Sawyer Gray strode into the center of the arena in chaps and spurs, wearing a black Stetson and flicking a horse whip attached to a rigid rod. “Welcome to the first-ever circus in Hope’s Crossing. Get ready to be astounded, folks. We’ve got tricks and animals galore. Each contestant will get a chance to do something fun.” He shrugged. “At least our idea of fun. I think you’ll like it. Sit back and enjoy.”

  He pointed the whip at Mrs. Truman. “Music, please!”

  A procession started. Becky meandered by in a small wagon pulled by Jack’s bloodhound Scout. Dressed in her cowgirl outfit complete with a little hat, she waved like a regal queen, hollering hello every couple of seconds.

  Melanie rested her cheek against Tait’s arm. “Oh, Tait, she looks so cute.”

  Just then the wagon tipped over while trying to turn. Becky jumped up, all business, set it upright, and climbed back in. Tait’s gaze followed her out of sight behind the church. If only her parents could be here. Pain tightened in his chest.

  His nerves jumpy, he let his gaze sweep the bluff then the town entrance. If Kern was close, this would fit into his plans. Everyone other than Ridge was focused on the circus.

  Two more wagons came behind Becky with toddlers Willow and Dillon inside. Willow was pulled by a goat and Dillon by his own dog Bullet.

  Next came the twins with three other boys on stilts. One started wobbling, but he straightened himself out before he could fall. Tait whistled and called to Joe and Jesse.

  He laughed. “I’m glad they didn’t eat anything or they’d be puking.”

  “Heaven forbid that.” Melanie joined in the laughter. “I love this.”

  Jenny strolled by wearing a cute, colorful costume and pulling a small wagon that contained raccoons. Halfway across, one of the raccoons hopped out and started pushing.

  Two of the Truman Ten wore clown costumes. One tripped, and when he got back up, he stepped on his trousers and they fell to his ankles. Everyone chuckled.

  Then came Violet riding a donkey, laughing and waving. The blind girl was having a great time and doing something safe.

  A small herd of goats trotted past followed by rabbits in cages on a sled.

  After the parade, Sawyer stepped into the center again. “Welcome the one, the only, the magnificent Kayden the Juggler!”

  Fourteen-year-old Henry Truman strolled forward with purpose and removed three plates from inside a large coat he wore. “I am Kayden the Juggler. Feast your eyes on my skill. Next will come knives.” He showed his teeth in a dramatic grin.

  The boy flipped a plate in the air. Then he added a second and third, catching them all and throwing them back up. But the fourth one proved too much and crashed to the grou
nd.

  Henry shrugged. “Oh well. That was Billy’s plate.”

  Tait cupped his mouth and called, “Looks like Billy will lose some weight. Don’t try the knives.”

  Laughter swept the crowd. Tait again checked for movement on the bluff. He thought he saw something but after staring for what seemed a full moment decided it was his imagination.

  Sawyer came out. “A big hand for Kayden the Juggler!” When the applause died down, he introduced the next act. “Now for the beautiful Princess Shiloh and her death-defying walk!”

  Two of the bigger kids brought out a couple of sawhorses and stretched a two-by-four from one to another.

  “Oh dear, please don’t let it be Violet,” Melanie moaned.

  But out came the girl, feeling her way to the step that took her up and onto the board. The crowd gasped, and a murmur of dismay ran through the onlookers. Violet stood on the board, two feet above the ground, hands outstretched. One of the boys ran out with a parasol and put it in her hand.

  Melanie hid her eyes and gripped Tait’s arm. “Tell me when she’s done. I can’t watch.”

  “Chicken?”

  “Yes, I am. I don’t want to see her hurt.”

  Tait put his arm around her. “I think she’ll be fine. The board is wide enough if she doesn’t wobble.”

  A groan came from Melanie’s hidden face. “That’s what I’m afraid of.”

  Mrs. Truman launched into some dark music fitting for the trick.

  Violet slowly felt her way along, sliding one foot in front of the other. Careful. Deliberate. Tait had to admit that even he held his breath. The girl was good at sensing the edges. Tait suspected she was counting the steps.

  But if she miscounted and stepped off the end…

  A hush descended over the crowd.

  His glance found Clay and Tally together, clinging to each other, probably praying. He would be.

  Suddenly, Earl Berringer bellowed from his iron cage. “Fall! Fall!”