Wildcat Bride

by Lauri Robinson

  Eva’s heart skipped about. The children were adorable. The thought of the three of them being hers made her shiver with excitement. She knelt down. “Hello, Adam and Anna,” she started, smiling at the first two. “And hello to you, Tucker, Reed, and Heather.”

  Tiny greetings murmured in the air. She kept her gaze on the three redheaded children. “Bug should be home soon.” Their little eyes lit up. Eva could relate. “I know he’s going to be very excited to see you.”

  Tucker stepped forward and handed Eva a basket. “We gathered these eggs for you, ma’am.”

  “Oh, well, thank you, sir,” she answered. “My, the basket is full. You must be very good at gathering eggs. I think I might have to ask you to help me every morning.”

  Tucker twisted his foot in the dirt. “I could do that ma’am. Reed and Heather know how to do chores, too.”

  “I’m sure they do.” The arrival of a man had Eva looking up.

  The man bowed his head. “Ma’am. I’m Jonathan Porter.”

  She stood. “Hello. I’m Eva Robertson. It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Porter. It’s nice to meet all of you.”

  Her first impression of the entire family filled her with warmth. She smiled. “I’d like a chance to talk with you, Mr. and Mrs. Porter. Would you have a few minutes?”

  “Of course, ma’am,” Jonathan readily agreed.

  Eva caught a sense of wariness in the look he gave his wife.

  Joanna turned to the children, but before she said anything, Tucker spoke up. “I’ll keep an eye on them, ma’am. We’ll wait right here.”

  “Thank you, Tucker,” Joanna said. Jonathan then cupped his wife’s elbow and led her up the stairs.

  “We can sit here on the porch, where we can see the children,” Eva offered, waving a hand toward the set of wicker furniture on the corner of the porch.

  Jonathan waited until Eva sat in one of the chairs and his wife on the small cushioned settee before he sat down beside Joanna.

  Eva wasn’t sure how to start. She didn’t know the story behind their arrival, but sincerely wanted to find out all they were willing to share. “First off, please accept my gratitude for your willingness to take care of my place while I was absent. I do appreciate it.”

  “You’re welcome, ma’am. It was our pleasure,”

  Jonathan assured.

  “May I ask what your plans are? I’m assuming you made the trip here…” she let her voice trail off as she glanced to the children sitting in a circle on the front lawn.

  “Our house was hit by a twister three weeks ago. It wiped out everything. We didn’t have the finances to rebuild.” Jonathan took a hold of his wife’s hand. “We decided it would be best to go back to Nebraska. We have family there.”

  “Nebraska? Where was your home?” Eva asked.

  “Over past Great Bend.” He swallowed. “We thought we better come explain what happened to Mr. Quinter.”

  “I see,” Eva said, even though she didn’t.

  Husband and wife glanced at each other before he continued, “Mr. Quinter paid us to take care of the children until he could come for them. We’re willing to give him back his money and keep the children.”

  A tight band squeezed Eva’s heart. “Oh?”

  “Yes, we weren’t planning on adopting any children off the orphan train, but we had completed the paperwork just in case there was one or two we felt needed a good home. At the time we thought we could provide that.” Jonathan shook his head as if shamed. “We still can. Once we get on our feet again.”

  Eva leaned closer. An orphan train? She had no idea that was where the children came from. The poor little angels. She and September had read a pamphlet about the trains while in New York, and had had a long conversation about them. The fact made her want to adopt the children all the more.

  Joanna patted her husband’s knee. “Mr. Quinter had been on the train with the children, and he asked us to take Tucker, Reed, and Heather, just until he could get everything settled here at home.

  He said he’d be back in a week or so to get them.

  Then he sent a telegram that said an illness prevented him from coming for the children and asked us to keep them a little longer. They’re good kids, and we’d like to keep them—” Joanna stopped and put a hand over her mouth. Tears glistened in her eyes.

  “I think I’m a little confused,” Eva admitted.

  “We’re sorry, ma’am,” Jonathan offered. “It’s just that we really can’t afford the children right now.

  The storm took everything.”

  “We do have most of Mr. Quinter’s money,”

  Joanna said, controlling the whimpers Eva knew the woman hid.

  “Mr. Porter, are you set on moving to Nebraska, or would you be willing to stay around here for awhile?” Eva could almost hear Willamina whispering in her ear, encouraging the thoughts building in her head.

  “Well, ma’am, to be honest, there’s not a lot waiting for us in Nebraska. Just my brother. I’m hoping we can stay with him and his family until I find some work.” A shimmer of hope appeared in the man’s eyes.

  It brightened Eva’s outlook and encouraged her to continue, “You see, I live here by myself, for now, anyway, and I count on my neighbors for a lot of assistance. I could really use a hired hand, to take care of the animals and such. I have forty acres and would like to find someone to share crop it. You could stay in the soddy until we can build something a bit more permanent.”

  Jonathan’s gaze had gone to his wife. Eva continued, “And Mrs. Porter, I’m a painter, and could use assistance with the house. Especially once Bug—Mr. Quinter, and I marry. I have no experience being a mother and would sincerely appreciate your help.”

  They both turned to her. Eva wasn’t sure if they gaped or if their smiles made their mouths fall open.

  She crossed her fingers and asked, “Does this sound like something you might be interested in?”

  “Yes, ma’am, it does.” Jonathan nodded his head. “It does.”

  “Good. I have to go to town this morning. But when I return, we can discuss your wages and such.”

  A sound inside the house made her add, “Oh, and my agent, Mr. Houston is here right now. But he’ll be returning to New York shortly.”

  The couple looked at each other again, and then back to her. “All right,” Jonathan said hesitantly.

  Eva laughed. “Jack can be a little overbearing. I just wanted to warn you, there’s nothing to worry about.”

  “All right, ma’am.” He still sounded unsure, but Eva let it go.

  “Now, as far as the children. I feel confident that I can speak for Bug—Mr. Quinter—I know he still wants to adopt the children. There’s a lawyer in town that I will discuss the matter with. As far as the money, what he’s given you was for the care of the children in his absence, which you have done.

  From their looks, you’ve done very well by them, so it is yours to keep. From today forward, I will be responsible for their needs, so if there is something, clothes or shoes, they need, please let me know so I can order them. I would however, appreciate your assistance in taking care of them, at least until I feel I’m better prepared. They’ve already been through a lot of changes, and I don’t want this one to be too disruptive for them.”

  Joanna looked deeply at Eva, glanced to the children, and then back to Eva. “You already love those children, don’t you?”

  “Yes, I do,” Eva admitted. “From the moment I heard their names, I’ve loved them.” She didn’t admit she’d heard their names while eavesdropping, but some things should never be shared. “Well, if that’s settled.” She stood up. The Porters did as well.

  “I have to get to town. There are several things I need to see to.”

  “Is there anything you’d like me to see to today, Miss Robertson?” Jonathan asked.

  “No, just the chores and…” She mulled the thought for a moment before asking, “Mr. Porter, do you kno
w anything about drilling oil?”

  “No, ma’am, I can’t say I do, but I can learn.”

  “I plan on hiring some men in town today to work on the well I started a few weeks ago.” This time she wasn’t going to depend on the kindness of the brothers to help her. She had resources and it was past time she used them.

  “I’ve seen the derrick ma’am, while hunting.”

  She liked the man, and her first instincts were rarely wrong. “Perhaps you wouldn’t mind overseeing the other men I hire?”

  “I could do that.”

  “Good.” She glanced to the children, still patiently sitting on the front yard. “Could you hitch up my buggy then?”

  “Right away, ma’am.” Jonathan Porter nodded a departing greeting and walked across the porch.

  “Oh, and Mr. Porter?”

  “Yes, ma’am?” He paused near the stairs.

  “There’s a spool of rope in the barn and some wood. Perhaps you could build the children a swing, in that elm right there.” She pointed to the tall tree beside the edge of the house, the one in front of her studio windows.

  “That looks like a good place for a swing. I’ll do it this morning.” Jonathan Porter’s smile was as large as hers.

  “Miss Robertson?”

  Eva turned back to Joanna Porter. “Yes?”

  “Is there anything specific I can do for you today?” The woman stepped forward. “We sincerely appreciate this opportunity.”

  Eva took the woman’s hands. “It’s a wonderful opportunity for both of us.” Her gaze once again went to the children. She really wanted to go sit with them and get to know each one of them, but there were a few other things she had to take care of first.

  The children, the Porters, the sunshine, everything around her made her want to smile. This was her life, she was in control of it, and would be from now on. She turned back to Joanna Porter. “Please call me Eva, and if I may, I’d like to address you as Joanna.”

  The woman gave a slight nod.

  Eva grinned. “Do you know much about planning weddings?”

  “Yes,” the woman giggled. “I had three younger sisters.”

  “Wonderful. Mr. Quinter and I will be wed as soon as possible, and I have no experience in such things.”

  “Don’t worry. You are in good hands with me.”

  Joanna’s face held a happy, healthy glow.

  Eva wanted to hug her but thought that might be a bit much for the woman, considering they’d just met. “You know,” Joanna said, looking at the children. “We’ve come to love those kids, and we’d be willing to keep them, but both Jonathan and I could tell how much Mr. Quinter cared for those children as soon as we met him. It practically broke his heart to leave them with us, strangers and all.”

  Eva blinked at the tears. “That’s Bug. He loves with all his heart.”

  “So do you. He’s a lucky man.” Joanna squeezed Eva’s hand.

  “No,” Eva whispered, choking on the lump in her throat. “I’m the lucky one, and I’m just sorry it took me so long to do something about it.” She squeezed Joanna’s fingers. “There’s my buggy. Please tell Mr.

  Houston I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

  Eva skipped down the steps, loving the confidence that bloomed in her chest. She paused near the children. “I have to go to town, and I believe the store there has peppermints sticks. Do any of you like them?”

  “Yes, ma’am, we do,” Tucker said. “We all do.”

  “Then I shall buy all the store has and bring them home for you.” Holding back the urge to hug each one of them, including the Porter children, she ruffled Tucker’s hair. “I’ll see you later.” She winked and then rushed to the buggy.

  The trip to town, though she had a lot to do, was fairly quick. By mid-afternoon, she was home, with a bag full of peppermint sticks and a buggy full of anything else she thought five children may need.

  The children barely had a chance to say thank you before Jack was tugging her into the house.

  Once he had her in the front room, he set her down on the sofa and glared downward as if she had just insulted him. “What the hell have you been up to?” “What do you mean?”

  He waved one arm around frantically. “A dozen men showed up here while you were gone.”

  “I know. I hired them.”

  “What for?”

  “To drill oil.”

  “What?”

  “I started drilling an oil well a few weeks ago, but we hit rock. Wheat harvest is about to start, so Snake and Kid are too busy to help with it, so I hired men to do it.” She folded her arms. “You were the one that said I had to show Bug how capable I am.”

  He opened his mouth, but she was faster, “And you were right. I have money. I can hire men to work for me. Just as I hired the Porters to help around here. I’ll need the help even more once the adoption goes through.”

  “Adoption?”

  “Yes, Bug and I will be adopting Tucker, Reed, and Heather as soon as we are married. Which by the way will happen this Saturday.”

  “That’s the day after tomorrow.”

  “I know.”

  “Does Bug?”

  She shrugged. “I don’t believe so. He wasn’t on the noon train, so I’m assuming he’ll arrive on the late train tonight.”

  A tiny smile formed on Jack’s lips. “What else did you do while you were in town?”

  “I didn’t see Miss Staples if that’s what you’re implying.” She may be bold, but she wasn’t stupid.

  “That’s exactly what I’m implying. Why didn’t you see her?”

  “Because I want to be in charge when I meet her.” “In charge?”

  “Yes. I invited her to tea tomorrow morning at ten. I’d like to say you’re welcome to join us, but I’d prefer our meeting to be private.” A touch of uneasiness made her fingers tremble. She folded them together, but Jack had already noticed.

  He leaned down and kissed her forehead. “I’m proud of you. And you have nothing to fret about. It’s Miss Staples who needs to worry. She’s about to meet the one woman she’ll never forget crossing.”

  ****

  The train stopped long enough for him and Kid to jump off before it started chugging west again. It was a repeat for Bug, the quiet and still town, but this time it was because of the lateness. Moonlight bounced off the buildings, and Bug could almost hear the snores of those sleeping behind the dark windows. A slip of paper was nailed to the side of the depot. He walked over to read the message.

  “What the hell?”

  “What is it?” Kid asked, sticking his head next to Bug’s shoulder. “Well, I’ll be damned.”

  Bug ripped the paper from the wall, reading it again. The marriage of Miss Eva Robertson and Mr.

  Brett (Bug) Quinter will take place on Saturday, June 2, 1888 at 3:00 PM at Eva Robertson’s property.

  All are welcome to attend.

  “Looks like you are getting married, little brother.” Kid slapped his back hard enough to dislodge the lump forming in Bug’s throat.

  Happiness started in his toes and by the time it hit his face, he was smiling brighter than the moon.

  “Looks like I am.” Bubbling with joy, he spun around and hugged Kid. “I’m getting married, Kid.

  I’m getting married.”

  “I take it your happy about it.” Kid laughed, hugging him back.

  “Damn right I am. It’s about time.” Bug let go and started walking for the livery. His steps were feather light and carefree. He never remembered being so downright happy.

  Slips of paper were nailed on buildings and awning posts all the way through town. Each one made him smile brighter. Kid snatched one along the way, and Bug plucked a couple extras, reading each one over and over again.

  At the livery they gathered their horses, the ones they’d both left behind when they’d left for Wichita. They talked some along the way, but mostly Bug thought. His mind
was full of the changes that were about to befall upon him, wonderful changes that he could barely wait to happen. In no time they came to Eva’s property. Without a word they both stopped to stare at the big, quiet, and dark house.

  “You can see her tomorrow,” Kid whispered.

  “I know,” Bug said, “But I—”

  “Tomorrow,” Kid interrupted. “You two have a lot to talk about. Let her sleep tonight.” Kid leaned closer and sniffed. “Besides, you could use a bath.

  That cattle train has you smelling like a pasture.”

  Bug chuckled. “You don’t smell so wonderful yourself.”

  “I know. Let’s go so I can get a bath before climbing into bed with my wife. I love Jessie’s homecomings.”

  Bug stared at the house for a moment longer, envisioning a time when he’d have such a homecoming.

  Kid grabbed the loop of Bug’s horse’s rein.

  “Come on, little brother, the sooner you get home, the sooner tomorrow will come.”

  ****

  Kid was right. Bug felt as if his head had barely hit the pillow before someone was hitting him in the face with something. He batted it away, sitting up.

  “What is this?” Ma asked, waving a piece of paper.

  Bug grabbed it. Seeing the familiar post, he grinned. “What’s it look like?”

  “It says you and Eva are getting married on Saturday.” She planted her hands on her hips. “No one asked me about it.”

  He read the paper again, smiling. “No one told me about it either.”

  “What?” She tried to take the paper back, but he held it over his head.

  Grinning, he shrugged. “Eva must have planned it.” “Where is she?”

  “Home.”

  “Home? No one told me that.”

  “Imagine that. Something you don’t know about.” He was so happy he couldn’t even pretend to sound grumpy. Reading the paper again, he asked, “Where’d you get this?”

  “You left it on the kitchen table when you snuck in last night.” This time she got the paper.