“Seems your parents made a large donation to the convent and the sisters had them sign some papers. But for whatever reason those papers were never put through the court system. So in the eyes of the law, you were never adopted. Your real, legal name is Catherine Ryan.
Cathy pushed her chair back suddenly, causing it to fall over.
“My parents were never mine. It was all a lie? Everything?”
“Cathy, it doesn’t matter. You don’t need their money or anything else. You said yourself, all we could ever need is right here.”
“Can’t you see? It’s wrong, all of it.”
Abe couldn’t see. What was wrong? Was she upset at losing the money? He guessed he might be if it was him.
“Cathy, we can fight it if you want. Not sure how much good it will do but we could go to New York.”
“No, we can’t. You and me are done, finished.”
And with that she ran.
Abe looked at Cookie, who was staring into the fire.
“What do I do now?”
“She’ll come back. It’s been a shock to her. Seems that toad Archibald planned on getting the money one way or another. He announced their engagement but all the time he was trying to get the adoption overturned.”
“How did you find all this out?”
“Doc Erin got a letter from her friend, Mr. Prentice. He’s been investigating everything in New York. Hired a couple of Pinkertons. Found out a lot of stuff. None of it relevant to Cathy, at least not anymore.”
Cookie stood up. “I best be off and leave you to it. Have patience with her, son. She just found out everything she believed for years was a lie. That’s bound to shake her up a little. Stay here and work it out. While you can. Back down there, the gossips are having a field day, as you can just imagine.”
“Did you bring any good news with you?” Abe said as he walked Cookie down the hill a little.
“There’s a big party this Saturday. Wilma and Zack are celebrating their wedding and those friends of Doc Erin’s have arrived from New York. The whole town is likely to be there.”
Cookie turned to take a look back at the cabin, but Cathy had yet to return. “Go easy with her, lad. You two seem to have been getting along well.”
That had to be the understatement of the year. They had been getting on great, but now the future wasn’t looking so rosy.
Chapter 35
He watched until Cookie was out of sight and then he walked slowly back to the cabin. Cathy hadn’t come back. He walked toward the river behind the cabin. She liked coming down here, said the water helped her think. He found her sitting on a rock, tears streaming down her face He reached for her
“Go away.”
“Cathy, come on. Talk to me. “
“I said leave me alone.”
“Cathy, I am your husband.”
“Don’t you see? You aren’t. You married Cathy Johnston. She doesn’t exist. I don’t exist. I don’t even know what to call myself anymore.”
He pulled her up and into his arms despite her protests and walked her back to the cabin. He put her on the bed and then went back to close and lock the cabin door.
“Cathy, it doesn’t matter what your last name is. We are married in the eyes of God. That means we deal with this together. I am not leaving you. Not now, not ever.”
“But why would you want me? I have nothing. I don’t even have a right to use my name.”
“I never married you for your parents’ money or New York houses. I can’t miss what we never had.” The joke fell a bit flat. He put his arm out to her and took her hand, stroking it.
“Cathy, I admit. When I married you it was for the wrong reasons.” At the suspicious look on her face, he quickly continued. “I did it because Mick asked me to. I owed him for helping me over the years. I didn’t care who I married, not really.”
“If this is your way of helping me, I don’t think it’s working.”
“No, listen to me. The first time I picked you up, when you fainted that time, I had a funny feeling about you. An instinct that you and me—well, we were meant to meet. I know it sounds like something out of a penny dreadful but its true.”
She didn’t say anything but he took that as a good sign. At least she was listening.
“You looked so beautiful at the wedding, but your eyes were full of pain. I wanted to take that away. I wanted to make you feel better and then maybe, just maybe, I would start feeling something again, too. The first night at the house on the ranch, when you wouldn’t sleep without me beside you…”
Her eyes dropped to the floor as her face turned crimson.
He put a finger under her chin and gently made her look at him. “That was the first time in a long time I felt needed. Wanted. I had a reason to be here.” He stopped, thinking he might be scaring her but she seemed to be listening intently.
“Then over the next few days as I got to know you, I wanted to know you better. You make me laugh, Cathy. Not because I laugh at you but with you. You have an ability to light up a whole room. You are kind and caring.
“You make me sound like a saint,” she retorted, possibly because his words seemed to embarrass her.
“Well, unless saints are also moody, cranky and can’t cook, I don’t think you qualify.”
She nudged him but he saw she was trying not to smile.
“I know we don’t know each other very well but we can work on that. We are both young and healthy. We have good friends nearby. You have a sister who adores you, who never stopped loving you. We have more, much more than a lot of people.”
“But instead of an heiress, you got a drug addict.”
“I never expected to marry someone rich and you are so much more than what you describe. You became addicted because someone took advantage of you when they should have been caring for you. What sort of twisted mind does that to someone who is part of their family?” He’d love to get his hands on Archibald Johnston but it was probably good that opportunity was unlikely to arise.
“But I’m not. We aren’t related. We were never family.”
“Cathy, your parents saw you as their daughter and if that man had any honor he wouldn’t treat you so badly, if only for their sake.”
“Not everyone thinks like you Abe.”
“I don’t care what anyone else thinks. I care about what you think. Do you believe we are married?”
She stared at him for a few seconds. “Yes,” she said miserably
“Well, then. We go see Father Molloy, get him to do the blessing again with your correct name and all is well with the world.”
“But how are we going to live? I don’t have any skills and you…well, you don’t seem to have any money. You said you were going East and I never want to go back there.”
She had a point. He could make do as a single man but he wasn’t alone anymore. He had a wife and maybe in time they would have a family. He had a mother and sister back in Noelle. He had land, too. He’d spent years clearing it with a view to farming. Most of the hard work was done. His ma would help Cathy learn how to run a household. But would she want to live in the house he had shared with Sally? He closed his eyes. Thinking of Sally didn’t bring the same pain as it had. She would always be part of his life but somehow he knew she wouldn’t have expected him to live alone forever. She’d been gone over a year now. It was a bit soon, but then everything about this marriage had been different to how it should be.
“Abe?”
“Sorry. I was wool-gathering. Let’s sit in front of the fire with the picnic Cookie brought us. Then we can plan our future.”
She grabbed his hand and let him pull her into his arms to give her a hug. It took no time at all to set out their meal.
“Cathy, you know I was married before, don’t you?”
She stiffened, withdrawing her hand from his. She wrapped her arms around her knees. “No. You never said and I didn’t think to ask.”
“Oh. Well, I was. Her name was Sally and we had a baby, a girl. She an
d the child died in a smallpox outbreak about a year ago now. I couldn’t function when they died. All I did was drink and be mad at the world.”
“You must have loved her very much,” she whispered. What was he doing married to her now? Was she some sort of replacement for his other family? Exactly like she had been a replacement for Mama and Papa’s real children.
“I grew up with Sally. She was a part of the family almost before we got married. I guess if she hadn’t died we would have grown old together. We were happy.” He took her hand, pulling it free from where she had it wrapped around her. “You have nothing to worry about. I won’t compare you to Sally. You and her—well, it would be like comparing an apple to a berry. You are totally different.”
“I am sorry about your wife and daughter,” she said formally. What was she supposed to say? Why had he waited to tell her until now? Just as she thought they had a chance at happiness. “I think we should go back to the ranch tomorrow. Do you mind if I go to bed now? I feel very tired.”
“Sure thing. I’ll just clean up here and then I’ll join you.”
“Actually, I would prefer to sleep alone. It’s been an upsetting, long day.”
She didn’t wait for his answer but pulled the door shut behind her. Not bothering to undress, she climbed under the covers, totally miserable. She hadn’t realized quite how much she liked him until now. Maybe she even loved him. Why else would it feel as if her heart was breaking in two? It was like when she’d lost her parents, maybe even worse.
Abe stood staring at the door. What had he said? Was she upset about Sally? Hadn’t he made it clear that what they had was different? He was tempted to push his way past the door and insist she speak to him. To lie on the bed beside her, but that would be wrong. Maybe she just needed time to think about what Cookie had said. He poked the fire before throwing a couple more logs onto it. It looked like a long and rather uncomfortable night.
When he woke the next morning, Cathy had her bags packed and the bed stripped. She had bundled the sheets up together. “I will bring these back to the ranch so I can wash them. Then I can give them to Cookie to bring them back here.”
He didn’t say anything. She looked as bad as he felt, with black circles under her eyes. She was avoiding his gaze as if she was a stranger and not his wife.
“Cathy, about yesterday—”
“Do you mind if we don’t talk? I have a horrible headache. I really just want to get back to the ranch and see Mary and the little ones. I’ve missed them and Ben.”
“Oh, right.”
He packed up the last of the things they had brought with them. Some items were too big to carry back.
“We don’t have the horses, so will have to walk.”
“That’s fine. It will help my head.”
He stared after her as she started walking. She had no idea how long the walk would take and he was certain she wasn’t used to walking long distances, but it seemed she was desperate to get away from him.
Chapter 36
Cathy kept walking in what she hoped was the general direction of the ranch. She was too upset to see properly, the tears blinding her vision. She wanted to scream at him, to ask him why he had consummated their marriage when he didn’t care for her. But then if he didn’t care, why had he brought her up here? But Mama cared and look what she did. She hid the letters from Mary. People didn’t behave the way you expected. Maybe it was her. She was just one of those who were never destined to have a proper family. Mary had been kind and welcoming, but she had a family of her own now. A husband who loved her and children. Beautiful children. She couldn’t stop the sob escaping.
“Right, that’s enough. Put that stuff down, Cathy O’Malley, and tell me what’s wrong.”
“Noting. I just want to get back to the ranch.
“Cathy, talk to me. After everything, after these last few days, I thought you trusted me.”
“Why did you sl…” She couldn’t ask him. She couldn’t even look at him.
“Are you asking me why I lay with you? I am a man and you are a very attractive woman.”
“So anyone would have done, so long as you got what you wanted.”
“I wouldn’t dignify that with a response, only you seem to have got it into your head that I don’t care for you. Cathy, you are wrong. I care for you a whole lot. I love you.”
Her head swung up at his words.
“I would swear it on my life, but that’s not a good thing to do. Cathy, I never met anyone like you. I want to get to know you better but already you have stolen my heart. I never believed in love at first sight and I don’t think that’s what happened to us. But these past two weeks, you have given me so much joy. You gave me reason to live again. To wake up in the morning wanting to share my day with you. I never thought I would feel anything for anyone. You make me angry, mad as a hornet, and at the same time you make me laugh. You, Cathy. I don’t care what your second name is or whether your adoption was real or not. I want you, in my life, in my bed, to share everything with me. Good times and bad.”
She couldn’t believe him. She wanted to, but…
“Cathy I have seen you at your worst and I still want you in my life. Can’t you just open your eyes and see?” He wanted to shake her. How could she not see?
“Something brought us together, God or fate or whatever you want to believe. But there is a reason I was in Clover Springs at the same time you came here. It was not pure chance.”
“But what of Sally and your daughter?”
“They will always be part of me, but just because they are doesn’t mean you come second best. You are my wife.
“You aren’t just saying that because you feel sorry for me?”
“Sorry for you? You enjoyed a lifestyle most people can only dream about. You have seen foreign places nobody else in Clover Springs will ever see. I am sorry your parents died so tragically and they didn’t get a chance to explain about the letters. But I have my own theory on that.”
“Which is?”
“Cathy, maybe your ma was worried she would lose you forever. She may have believed the ties between family are so strong that if you knew Mary was married and could provide you with a home, you would leave. She was probably terrified. You said she showed you lots of love and affection, so it would be out of character for her to hide the letters to be mean.”
He took a step toward her and held his arms out. “Darling, please give us both a chance. We could be happy together. I will cook every day if it makes you smile.”
“You will?” She went into his arms and kissed him fiercely.
“Well, only until you learn to do it. Cooking’s women’s work, you know.”
“Abe O’Malley, that’s using false pretenses.”
He swept her off her feet and into his arms. “There is nothing false about us, Cathy. Nothing at all.” He followed his declaration with a kiss that seared her soul.
After some time, they started walking again, but this time hand in hand.
“Abe, you know you said you had land somewhere near your ma and sister. Do you miss them?”
“Ma and Cara? Yes. Feel guilty, too, leaving them to it. I mean, I have brothers and all, but I am the eldest and I been looking after Ma since I was about fourteen.”
“Would you like to go back there?”
“To visit?”
“To live. I wouldn’t mind. I can come visit with Mary and she can come to us. If you want.”
He leaned over and kissed her on the nose. “Let’s wait and see how you feel when you have seen Mary. I will do anything to make you happy.”
“Well, I know for sure I don’t want to leave Colorado. It’s beautiful out here. “
He looked around him. “It sure is. Guess I was too blind to see it.”
“Its perfect for bringing up children, too.”
He waggled his eye brows at her. “Are you trying to tell me you want to start a family?”
“In time, yes, I do. But for now, I am h
appy with just us.”
“Me, too, darling.”
Chapter 37
“Cathy you look so much better. You are practically glowing,” Mary said as she greeted them.
“That’s from sweating. Whose idea was it to walk down from the cabin?” she said, teasing her husband. He just smiled, leaving Mary looking from one to another.
“How are you feeling, Cathy?”
“I am really sorry for the scare I gave you, Ben and everyone else. I am fine. I didn’t mean to do anything other than have a good night’s sleep. I promise.”
“I know that.” Mary linked arms with her sister. “Why don’t you come up to the house and have a bath? We have indoor plumbing so it wont take long. Then you can have dinner with the family. Mrs. Higgins has enough to feed an army, as usual. Abe, you will come too, won’t you?”
Abe winked at Cathy as Mary didn’t give him a chance to reply but walked off to the house, dragging Cathy along with her. Cathy didn’t have the heart to tell her she wanted to be alone in her little house with Abe. They could do that any time. She was limited with the time she had to spend with her sister. Living here on the ranch wouldn’t work. Abe was too proud to accept charity and Mary was too generous not to offer it. No, they would go live in Noelle with his ma and sister. She would learn to be a proper housewife and maybe sometime in the near future they could invite Mary and her family to visit.
“Are you happy, Cathy?” Mary asked her as they walked to the bathroom
“More than I ever thought possible, Mary. And to think I owe it all to Archibald. He never did try to hide how much he hated me. Now, I understand. He was always jealous of me and thought I would steal his inheritance.”
“Do you mind losing all that money?”
“Not at all.”
“I am really happy that horrible man won’t benefit from it either.”
“Who? Archibald?” Cathy was confused.
“Didn’t you hear? He is being investigated to fraud and embezzlement. Seems he has been stealing to fund his lifestyle. He needed your parent’s money so badly.”
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