“I thought we were going to the creek?” she asked as he turned towards a barn she had not seen from the house.
“We will be. I need to go stop by the barn for a minute.”
Oliver rode directly into the barn but didn’t dismount the horse. “Afternoon, Poke. Where is Smokes?”
A cowhand, no wider than a string bean walked up to the horse. “Howdy ma’am,” he said. “Smokes is over there.” The thin man pointed to the back of the barn and yelled.
A burly man with a sweat-stained shirt walked over. He had dirt covering him from head to foot, but he had the most startling blue eyes Willow had ever seen on an individual. He had an unlit cigarette between his teeth.
“What’s up, boss?” he said, wiping his face with a dirty bandana. Willow recognized him as the man who stopped in front of her when she was in the bushes. That is where she recognized Rich from as well.
“I’d like you to stop by the house a little later if you can.”
“Some kind of trouble?”
“I don’t think so. Just tell the men if they need to go to town, to make sure that either Owen or I know.”
“We normally do, but I’ll repeat it.”
“Rich didn’t come to the barn until a few minutes ago. Says he was in town running an errand.”
“I don’t know anything about that, boss.”
“You didn’t tell him to go pick something up?”
“Nope. He’s assigned to the horses this month. No reason for him to go to town unless he was doing something for you.”
“I’ll check with Owen then. Just stop by the house later.”
“Will do, boss. Good day, ma’am.”
Oliver guided Whiskey from the barn, and they rejoined the trail and crossed over the creek on a makeshift wooden bridge.
“Is all this your land?”
“It belongs to my family. Down to that line of trees.” He pointed to a hedgerow in the distance.
“What’s on the other side of that?”
“That land belongs to the Hartmans.” He pointed to the west. “That land belongs to the Bergmans.”
“Your mother mentioned knowing the Hartmans on the wagon train.”
Oliver raised his eyebrow. “She did?”
Willow nodded. “She just said that she and Mrs. Hartman were best friends. They grew up together in Boston.”
“That they did.”
“Do all of you raise cattle?”
“Yes. Mr. Hartman and my father were business partners at one time. Here’s a good spot.”
He swung one leg over the horse and slid to the ground. Leading Whiskey to a clump of bushes, he tied the horse to them and then turned to help Willow down. She handed him the basket, which he put on the ground, before reaching up to lift her from the horse.
His hands tightened around her as she touched the ground. Willow’s palms were resting on Oliver’s arms, and she traced one finger down to his hand and intertwined her fingers with his. He curled his fingers around hers and brought her hand to his lips, kissing each knuckle gently.
She knew Oliver said she could set the pace, and if she ever wanted to kiss him, she could. She wanted to. Badly.
Perhaps she wouldn’t be so skittish the more she got to know him. He released her hand and leaned down to pick up the basket. Giving her a wink, he walked over to the grassy shore. Handing the basket to Willow, he retrieved a blanket from the back of the horse and laid it on the grass. Willow kicked off her slippers at the edge of the blanket and walked to the middle.
“Are your feet sore?” he asked, pointing to the slippers she discarded.
“No. I just don’t have any boots.” She poked her stocking foot from beneath her dress. “I was going to ask if you could pick a pair up the next time you go to town.”
“I can do one better. How about I take you to town?”
Willow froze and then shook her head. There was no reason for her to be uneasy. The Marshal didn’t recognize her, and she doubted that any of the women from the saloon would be walking around town. Especially not during the day.
“I’m not ready to go to town, just yet.”
Oliver nodded his understanding. “I can trace your foot and pick up a pair of boots tomorrow.”
Willow dropped the basket to the blanket and sat down next to it, tucking her skirt under her legs. “It is beautiful here,” she said.
“I’m glad you like it. There are many beautiful things to see on the ranch.”
Willow turned to see Oliver’s eyes gazing on her … almost lovingly?
She shook the silly thought from her head. There was an impulse to lean over and kiss him, but Willow was afraid he might think she was a loose woman. She blushed and turned her attention to the basket. “Are you hungry?”
“I am. What’s in the basket?”
Willow opened the basket and took out a checkered napkin that she tucked into Oliver’s neck. She took a second one and placed it on her lap. “Fried chicken,” she announced, pulling out a plate piled high with legs. She reached in and pulled out a small bowl. “Hard-boiled eggs.” She handed a mason jar to Oliver. “Cold milk. And for dessert, Marmee’s oatmeal cookies.”
“It looks delicious.” He grabbed Willow’s hand and said a quick prayer before picking up a chicken leg and biting into it with relish. “This is so much better than beans and rice. Do you know how many bowls of beans I’ve had over the past few months?”
“Why so many?”
“Normally we eat our main meal during the day, but, right now with folks being gone to meet the cattle drive, we don’t have time, other than to grab a sandwich, if that. So we eat with the hands if we can get a break. Our regular cook went with Caleb to Texas. We have a temporary one, and I swear that is all he can cook. He tried to make steak once, but it was like shoe leather.”
“That’s why you eat so much at night.”
Oliver put the bone back on the plate and picked up an egg. Laughing, “I guess so. I never noticed it.”
Willow felt the ground shake. “What’s that?” She could hear the sound of horse’s hooves rumbling.
Oliver stood. “It’s just Everett and one of the hands.”
Willow couldn’t see anything as Oliver was in the way. The horses stopped near the blanket.
“Looks like we are interrupting something. Oliver,” Everett said. “I was just coming back to the barn to look for you.” He dismounted his horse and dropped the reins to the ground. The second rider did the same.
“We were just finishing up lunch, and then I have to get back to the barn.”
The second man walked around his horse and his eyes opened wide when he saw Willow sitting on the blanket. His face broke out in a huge grin and then it disappeared, leaving a dark mask in its place. Willow shuddered and turned away.
“This is Thomas. Came from the Missouri stockyards. He’s helping us fix the fence.”
“Nice meeting you,” Oliver said taking his hand. “I know we can use the help.”
“Thank you,” Thomas replied. He didn’t break eye contact with Willow as he continued, “Glad to have a job. It hasn’t been easy these past few years.”
“Ollie, I need to talk to you for a minute.”
“Alright,” Oliver turned to Willow. “I’ll be right back.”
When the two men disappeared out of earshot, Willow turned to her brother. “How did you find me?”
“I didn’t,” he laughed. “You aren’t smart, are you, sis? You should have gone farther if you wanted to escape.” He motioned to Oliver. “Looks like you are doing well for yourself. All settled in with the boss man,” he said, grabbing a fried chicken leg from the plate. “You married him?” Willow looked around, ignoring her brother. “I’m going to take that as a no. I guess Pa was right about you. You ain’t no better than one of those painted women that came to church.”
Finally, she turned towards her brother. “What are you doing here?” she asked through clenched teeth.
Thomas lo
oked around, thoughtfully chewing. “I heard Mr. Blackman was playing cards in Flat River. Heard he had a prize beyond compare. Imagine my surprise when I get to Flat River, he is seriously injured, and his most valuable prize is missing.”
“He’s not dead?”
“No. He’s not. But his room was ransacked, and his bag of coins was missing. You wouldn’t know anything about that, would you?”
Willow breathed a sigh of relief. Mr. Blackman wasn’t dead. So why hadn’t he sent anyone after her, especially if he thought she had stolen his money?
“I guess you must have hit him a little bit too hard. Turns out he is an idiot now. Or maybe someone did that after finding him face down choking on his blood. Either way, he’s not going to be any trouble. I wouldn’t want to be embarrassed by a slip of a girl getting the best of me if something like that happened,” Thomas said, answering her unspoken question. “But now I know where you are, I can do something with this information.”
Willow narrowed her eyes. Through clenched teeth, she asked, “What do you want?”
“I’ll start with that bag of coins.”
“I don’t have it.”
“I think you do.” Thomas scuffed the toe of his boot in the dirt. “Or at least I think you know where it is.” Thomas turned and looked at Oliver and Everett deep in conversation. “I would hate for anything to happen to Mr. Boss Man over there. Hear they have a mighty pretty sister, too.”
“You leave her alone.”
“I will,” he grinned, sending a shiver down Willow’s spine. “Just meet me in that grove with the maple trees. Right after sundown tonight. Or else.” Oliver and Everett walked back to the picnic. “See you later boss lady,” Thomas said before mounting his horse and riding to the edge of the trees.
“See you, Willow,” Everett said, climbing onto the back of his horse and guiding it back towards the barn.
Willow paused one moment to allow the men to ride away. When they were far enough away, a cry burst from her throat. She started to gather up the leftover food and throw it into the basket. “I think we should get back.”
“Whoa, Kitten,” he said, taking the items from her hands. She felt him lift her chin with his finger. “What happened? I was gone for less than a minute and now you are panicking.”
“I can’t tell you. I just need to leave.” Willow put her hand on her heart and started breathing heavily.
“You can tell me anything, Kitten. I made a promise to you that nothing would ever hurt you again. You know that man, don’t you.” Willow nodded, wiping her nose on a discarded napkin. “He kin of yours?” Willow nodded again. “Okay. We can figure this out.”
Willow looked at Oliver. “We?”
“I don’t even need to know what happened. I’ll get Smokes to let him go.”
“Oh, that would be terrible! He would most certainly come for me then.”
“First we need to make sure he has no claim on you.”
“He doesn’t.”
“How do you know that?”
Willow put her head in her hands and cried. The whole story exploded from her lips like a dam bursting forth. She told Oliver everything … from her father dying, Thomas losing her in a game of chance, and now Mr. Blackman needing to be institutionalized because he couldn’t think. As she cried, Oliver held her close and rubbed her back. When she was done, she pulled away. Knowing that Oliver wouldn’t want her now that he knew her sordid past.
“Willow, that wasn’t your fault. You aren’t responsible for their actions. You are only responsible for your own. I’m immensely proud of you for running away. That tells me you are a fighter, Kitten. Keep your claws out.”
“What are you going to do?”
“Well, there is one way that we can ensure no other man has a claim over you.”
“How’s that?”
“Why, I believe you need a pair of boots. So we’ll head to town and get hitched.”
“Like, marry you?”
“Why not? I kinda like the idea of getting married before Owen. Plus, it would be beneficial to you, too. You never have to leave the ranch. If you are married, your brother has no claim to you.”
“But you would.”
Oliver nodded his head. “But it can be a marriage in name only. You can stay in Marianne’s bedroom and we can continue to get to know each other.”
Willow finally nodded. “Alright, Oliver. I’ll marry you.”
Oliver looked at the Reverend. They must have interrupted the pastor’s supper as he came to the door with a napkin still stuffed down his shirt.
“This is highly unusual, Oliver,” Reverend O’Brien said.
“I know, but I need you to marry us tonight. It is a matter of some urgency.”
“But I don’t know anything about you, Miss,” he said to Willow. “I’m afraid I can’t do it. I’m very fond of the Chapman family and only want the best for them.”
“Excuse me, Willow,” Oliver said, grabbing the Reverend’s arm and tugging him to the side. He turned to the Reverend. Even though this was a man of God, Oliver wanted to make sure that there was no misunderstanding as he spoke his piece. “If you are so fond of the family, why did you allow Alice to go with that charlatan?”
“I didn’t realize that is what he was. He had me fooled just as much as everyone else.”
“He stole our Alice. Stole her innocence of the ugliness in this world. This woman,” he pointed to Willow still standing in the foyer, “is going through the same thing. The only way to protect her is to have her marry someone. No one was willing to stand up for my sister, Reverend. Not even you. Now, are you going to let that happen to anyone else?”
The Reverend looked at the ground for a moment. He pulled the napkin from his shirt. “When you put it that way,” he said, “I see what you mean.” He walked over to Willow and took her hands in his wrinkly ones. “You know marriage is a sacred vow, young lady.”
“Yes, sir,” Willow said, not breaking eye contact with the Reverend.
“Once you do this, there is no going back. This man will be your husband for the rest of your life.”
“I understand.”
“And you agree to this?”
“I do.”
The Reverend gave a little chuckle. “You can say that in a few minutes.” He turned to Oliver with kind eyes. “I am sorry about Alice. I’ve been avoiding your family since that dreadful day. Perhaps I should stop by and see Ingrid.”
“Marmee would like that.”
The Reverend gave a half-smile. “Alright then, let’s get you two married.”
Chapter Thirteen
Willow couldn’t believe she was a married woman. She fiddled with the ring on her finger while Oliver answered questions from his family. Even Alice was surprised at the sudden marriage.
After they were married, Oliver made a stop to see the Marshal and let him know what was going on. It turned out that Mr. Blackman had been the man sitting next to the Marshal when Oliver was in town. He was still confused from the assault, but remembered a girl that was travelling with him; and was now missing.
Fortunately, the Marshal didn’t buy the story, yet when he saw Willow, he felt there might be some truth to Blackman’s story. In the end, he was glad that Oliver had married her, and she was now under the protection of the Chapmans.
“You should have waited for your father to get home,” Marmee insisted. “He’ll be arriving any day now.”
“We couldn’t wait, Marmee. Honestly, we would have if I thought that Willow’s life wouldn’t be in danger.”
“Her life? There isn’t anything that couldn’t wait a few days.”
“Yes, there is.”
The room became very noisy as everyone talked over everyone else. Finally, Willow had to put her hands over her ears. They must have noticed as suddenly the talking stopped.
“May I say something?” Willow asked.
“Of course, child, speak up.”
Willow took Oliver’s hand in her own.
She was going to need as much strength as she could find to get through her story.
“Let me start when my mother died,” she began, closing her eyes. When she was finished, her entire life was laid out in horrific detail. Willow couldn’t bear to see the look of disappointment on the Chapmans’ faces. She had dreamed of having a perfect family, and now she just destroyed it.
She felt Oliver squeeze her hand and then release it. She opened her eyes and looked around the table.
Everett was furious. His cheeks were red, and Willow could see him biting the inside of his lip. Ellie and Alice held hands as tears streamed down Alice’s cheeks. She wiped them away on the back of her sleeve.
Willow looked at Owen. He was so much like his brother, but Owen kept his anger inside. She could see it bubbling just below the surface as he opened and closed his fists on the table. Finally, she looked at Marmee. The Matriarch was biting her lip, as her eyes filled with tears.
She couldn’t bear to look at Oliver. If he were disappointed in her it would break her heart.
“Willow,” Oliver said softly.
“I am so sorry for bringing this to your door. It is my fight alone.”
Marmee pushed her chair back and walked over to Willow, embracing her from the back. She pressed a kiss against Willow’s cheek. “Nonsense, daughter. This fight belongs to all of us. You are a Chapman now, and we protect our own.”
“I don’t know what to say.” Tears started streaming down her cheeks.
“You don’t have to say anything. I’m sure we all feel the same way.”
Everyone murmured their agreement. Alice looked at her brothers. “So, what’s the plan?”
“Willow said that Thomas wanted to meet her at the clearing near the willow trees. Is that correct?” Owen asked.
“Yes. That’s correct. I was supposed to take him the bag of coins.”
“Where are those?”
“At the cabin. I put them in under the bed. Between the ticking and the frame.”
“Smart girl,” Oliver said. The simple praise went straight to Willow’s heart.
“I swear I’m going to kill him,” Everett said, standing at the table. “How dare he come onto our ranch and do this.”
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