The WESTWARD Christmas BRIDES COLLECTION: 9 Historical Romances Answer the Call of the American West

by Wanda E. Brunstetter, Susan Page Davis, Melanie Dobson, Cathy Liggett, Vickie McDonough, Olivia Newport, Janet Spaeth, Jennifer Rogers Spinola

  He blinked and stared at the yellow winter grass in the distance. He had to remember that he no longer had a daughter.

  Miss Ruskin had been surprised by his insistence that she find Annie a new set of parents, maybe even a bit angered at the inconvenience, but he had no doubt she would do the right thing. It was her job to find families for orphans.

  Loneliness chased him like a coyote trailing a rabbit. He knew he’d miss Annie, but he hadn’t expected to feel such a sense of loss—of failure. It pained him to think of Annie calling for him and him not being there to comfort her. Had he made a mistake? Was he merely chickenhearted?

  No. He’d done what had to be done—to keep her safe.

  Then why was it all so hard? Why didn’t God comfort him for the sacrifice he’d made?

  Ed Duffy trotted his bay up the road to the house. Cade waved and walked toward the neighbor who rented the ranch land for his cattle.

  The man reined to a stop and nodded. “Been a long time since you was out this way, Cade.”

  “Yep. Been busy.”

  “You thinkin’ on sellin’ the place?”

  Cade shrugged. “I can’t decide. Part of me thinks I should unload it and be done with it, and another part thinks I should keep it in case things in Advent don’t work out.”

  “How’s business up there?”

  “Pretty good. I stay busy for the most part.”

  Ed dismounted and ground-tied his horse. “I’m still interested in the ranch if you do decide to part with it. I know it’s gotta be hard since you was raised here.”

  “Yeah.” Cade lifted his gaze to the tree on the hill and the rickety fence that surrounded the graves of his parents and his two little sisters who drowned the day when they tried to swim in the pond alone. His heart clenched. His ma never recovered and followed them in death a month later. Then it was just him and his pa for years.

  “Where’s that little charmer of yours? She takin’ a nap?”

  Cade felt as if the butt end of a rifle had rammed him in the chest. He hadn’t considered that he’d have to explain what he’d done over and over. “She uh … got hurt … and is stayin’ in town with the doctor’s daughter.”

  Ed jerked his head toward Cade. “There’s a doctor in Advent now?”

  “Just temporarily. Did you hear the bridge got washed out in last week’s storm?”

  Nodding, Ed swatted at a fly. “Yep. Myrtle’s brother came to visit and mentioned it. Heard tell there was a bunch of train passengers that got stranded.”

  “Yep.” Especially one very pretty Orphan Train agent.

  “Guess they got the tracks fixed, ’cause I heard the whistle as it went over Boyd’s Gulch this morning.”

  Cade stared at the man. “You heard the train?”

  “Saw the smoke, too. It was going away from town, so I imagine them stranded folk are happy to get on the move again.”

  Cade turned away and closed his eyes. So that was it. Annie was gone. Miss Ruskin was gone. Lizzie. Why did the thought of them leaving hurt so bad?

  “Well, guess I’ll getta move on. Saw your smoke this morning and wanted to be sure it was you here and not squatters.”

  “I appreciate that.” Cade held out his hand, and Ed shook it.

  “You remember if you decide to sell the ranch that I asked about it first.”

  “I will. I need to make up my mind one way or the other.”

  Cade watched his longtime neighbor mount and walk his horse down the road, but his thoughts were on Beth Ruskin and her two wards. Did she hate him for what he’d done?

  She couldn’t abhor him any more than he despised himself. God had given him a precious blessing, and he’d thrown her away.

  He climbed the ladder that leaned against the house. Now that the train was gone, he no longer had to hide out here. He’d finish repairs on the roof then ride back to town to begin the rest of his lonely life. Cade climbed onto the roof, laid down his hammer, then reached for a shake he’d made yesterday. His foot hit the hammer, sending it sliding. Cade pivoted, hoping to catch it before it slid off. His knee buckled, and he found himself sailing through the air. The ground rushed up to meet him. He collided hard, and everything went black.

  Beth sat on the porch of the boardinghouse with Annie and Lizzie on the swing beside her. She’d taken up this spot partly because the girls loved the porch swing and partly because it gave her a clear view of Main Street. If Cade returned—and she was certain he would since he had a business to run and a home waiting for him—she wanted to be the first one to greet him and to give him a piece of her mind.

  She had no doubt that he loved Annie, and she didn’t truly believe he was a coward. He was scared. She’d seen the fear in his eyes when he’d whispered the comment about Annie getting burned. He was making a sacrifice that cost him something very precious—and rather than despise him, she admired him, even though she disagreed with his choice.

  A pair of horses rushed around the far end of Main Street, pulling a wagon with a saddled horse trotting behind it, stirring up a cloud of dust. The driver looked right and left then hauled back on the reins. “Where’s the doctor?” he yelled.

  She jumped up, steadied the swing, then rushed to the railing. She waved her hands in the air. “Here! The doctor’s here!”

  She wasn’t certain if the man had heard her, but another man on the sidewalk pointed toward the boardinghouse. Beth picked up Annie and helped Lizzie off the swing. “Come along. We have to let Poppa know he’s needed.”

  Beth rushed inside to the first-floor suite her father had rented after the train passengers left town. He’d been away, delivering a baby at the time, so they hadn’t been able to leave. Her father had been so busy with patients that he hadn’t fussed about missing the train. She knocked on his bedroom door, hating to disturb him since he’d only been in bed a few hours. “Poppa. Someone’s asking for you.”

  “All right. I’ll be out in a moment.”

  “Lizzie, stay here for a minute. I’ll be right back.” The girl nodded, and Beth hurried back outside, carrying Annie on her hip. The man in the wagon pulled to a stop, his horses panting and lathered. He must have driven hard and fast for a long ways. Beth noticed another man lying in the back. Her heart lurched at the size of the patient and the dark hair that hung over the bandage surrounding his head. No! Please, Lord. Not Cade.

  The driver untied the saddled horse and slapped its reins around the hitching post in front of the boardinghouse. He jogged back to the wagon, lowered the gate, and yanked off a blanket that had partially covered the man’s face. Beth’s heart dropped. It was Cade. Trembling, she turned so that Annie couldn’t see her father. The girl had just stopped asking for him. What could have happened? Had he been attacked? His head wound was the only injury she could see other than some scratches on his knuckles.

  Several men ran across the street and offered to help carry Cade inside. Beth pushed the door open, slid the iron pig-shaped stop in front of it with her foot, then opened the door to the suite. They’d have to put Cade on her father’s bed because the room she and the girls shared would be too small for her father to work on a patient. Poppa pulled open his door and strode out.

  “They’re bringing him in now. It’s Mr. Maddox,” she whispered. She peered at Annie. “I need to get her out of here before she sees him.”

  “Go—and take that other child with you.”

  She took Lizzie’s hand. “Come along, sweetie. Let’s go see if Mrs. Reinhardt has any treats.”

  “Cake!” Annie bounced in Beth’s arm and smacked her lips.

  “Perhaps.” Beth smiled at her, glad that each day she was more active and her arm hurt less. Annie didn’t care for the sling Poppa had fashioned to keep her arm immobile, but once they’d stuck her doll in it, too, Annie had accepted it.

  Beth quickened her steps to get the girls past the front door and into the other side of the boardinghouse, which included the parlor, dining room, and kitchen. Mrs. Reinhar
dt walked out of the kitchen, drying her hands on a towel.

  “Miss Ruskin, what is that commotion? Do we have new guests?”

  “Some men are bringing a patient in to Poppa.”

  Mrs. Reinhardt lifted her hands to her lips. “I did not expect he would attend patients here. I hope the person isn’t sick with something contagious.”

  “No, ma’am. He has a head wound.”

  Lizzie pulled out a chair at the table and crawled into it.

  “Me sit.” Annie pointed at the table.

  Beth’s cheeks heated. “I was wondering if you might be able to watch the girls and perhaps give them a treat while I assist Poppa.”

  The older woman smiled. “You know I love these two cherubs. I’d be happy to, as long as it doesn’t take too much time. I’ve already started preparations for supper.”

  “I don’t think it should.”

  “Good. Just let me fix a quick treat.” She spun around and, in less than a minute, returned with two plates, each containing a cookie almost as big as the dish.

  Beth set Annie in the high chair and pushed it up to the table. “You two be good and obey Mrs. Reinhardt.”

  “We will,” Lizzie said.

  Beth rushed back to their quarters. All the men except for the wagon driver were gone.

  “Thank you, Mr. Duffy. I’ll take good care of Mr. Maddox,” her father said.

  “I’m obliged. His folks were good neighbors.” Mr. Duffy nodded. “I’ll see to Cade’s horse.”

  Beth rushed past the two men and into her father’s room. She gasped at the sight of Cade, limp and pale.

  “Don’t just stand there staring, Beth.”

  She spun into motion, emptying out the instruments her poppa would need. “What happened?”

  “Mr. Duffy said he fell off a roof.”

  Beth blinked, confused. “But where was he when the accident happened? Not at his house.”

  “He also owns a ranch next to Mr. Duffy’s.” He cut the bandage off and examined the gash on Cade’s head. “This doesn’t look too bad. I’m concerned that he hasn’t come to though. Mr. Duffy said he fell several hours ago.”

  Beth clutched her hands to her chest, suddenly realizing she cared for Cade. When had that happened? What if he never woke up? She knew that sometimes occurred with head injuries.

  “I need some clean water.”

  Beth hurried to do the task, thankful to be able to help. She didn’t have time to examine her feelings now, but examine them she would. How was it Cade Maddox had slipped into her heart so quickly?

  “Please, Lord, let Cade wake up and be all right.”

  Chapter 6

  Beth felt herself falling and jumped. She reached out and grabbed hold of the bedside table to keep from tumbling out of the chair. She blinked the sleepiness from her eyes and focused her gaze on her patient. Had he moved? Or did she just imagine it as she was jerked from her sleep?

  She rose and carried the lamp across the room, casting flickers of light all around, to check the time on the mantel clock. Four o’clock. After she returned the lamp to its table, she stretched the kinks out of her back then took a drink from the glass she’d left on the table. Since she was awake, this was a good time to check on the girls. Beth reached for the door handle, and a groan emanated behind her.

  Beth rushed back to the bed and set the lamp down. “Cade?”

  His head slowly turned toward her. He lifted his arm and covered his eyes. Beth quickly turned down the lamp, leaving only a small flame.

  “Where am I?” His voice sounded deeper—huskier—than ever.

  “You’re in our rooms at the boardinghouse in Advent.”

  “Who—who are you?”

  Beth gasped. “You don’t know? I’m Beth, Dr. Ruskin’s daughter.”

  “Water, please.”

  Beth quickly poured a glass from the pitcher then lifted Cade’s head and helped him drink. “Not too much.”

  After several swigs, he lay back, squinting. “How did I get here?”

  “A neighbor, Mr. Duffy, brought you.”

  Beth pulled her chair close to the bed, hoping—praying—he hadn’t forgotten her. “Do you remember what happened?”

  “I remember flying through the air.”

  “Mr. Duffy said you fell off of your ranch house roof.”

  Cade lifted his hand to his head. Beth stood and tugged it away. “Don’t. Poppa had to suture your forehead. Does it hurt? I can give you some more of the pain powder.”

  “It hurts some, but I don’t want any medicine.” His eyes suddenly widened, and he started to sit up but grimaced and fell back. “Annie—is she all right?”

  “She’s fine. She’s sleep—” Beth gasped. “You remember Annie?”

  Cade slid his gaze toward her. “Of course. You might think I’m a hardhearted curmudgeon for giving her up, but did you really think I could forget her?”

  Beth dropped into her chair, smiling. If he remembered Annie, then he couldn’t have forgotten about her. “No, it’s not that. When you asked my name, I thought you had amnesia.”

  He turned his head toward the wall and mumbled, “I couldn’t forget you any more than Annie.”

  Warmness flooded Beth’s heart, but she forced herself not to get her hopes up. Just because he hadn’t forgotten her didn’t mean he cared for her. “Ease your mind. Annie is doing well, although she has asked for you probably a hundred times.”

  “You know how to make a man feel guilty.”

  Beth reached over and laid her hand on his arm. “That wasn’t my intention, Cade. I just thought you’d like to know she missed you.”

  He rolled onto his back again, looking at her. His expression made her ache for him. “Did I do the wrong thing?”

  She shrugged. “Only you can answer that.”

  Cade rubbed his hand across his bristly jaw. “I can’t come up with any other option. I don’t want to give her up—I love her—but I won’t endanger her.”

  A solution rushed into Beth’s mind. A solution that would solve more than one problem. What if—dare she even think it?—she and Cade were to marry? They could keep both girls, and Cade wouldn’t have to worry about Annie anymore. And Beth wouldn’t have to go to the uncivilized Arizona Territory. The idea stunned her to silence.

  Could she marry him?

  Would he even want her?

  One thing was for certain, before she opened her mouth, she needed to pray.

  Cade sat on the side of the bed while Dr. Ruskin checked his stitches. His head still hurt, but not as much as it had two days ago when he’d awakened with Beth at his side. If her father hadn’t been sitting two feet away just then, Cade might have smiled. Her ministrations had been gentle and kind, and he’d enjoyed listening to her as they talked.

  He enjoyed everything about her, from her pretty hair and sparkling eyes to her gentle voice and soft touch.

  “I think you’re going to live.”

  Cade did smile at the doctor’s deadpan declaration. “That’s good.”

  The man sat back in his chair and narrowed his eyes. “I hope you’ll be ready soon to take that young’un off my daughter’s hands. She’s already got that other child she can’t find a home for.”

  He didn’t care for the man’s tone, but his curiosity was stirred. “She can’t find a home for Lizzie?”

  Dr. Ruskin shook his head. “I was wrong to let her bring all those noisy children with us. I should have just paid her way, and then we could have endured our trip in silence.”

  It didn’t sound like a journey Beth would have taken delight in. She loved children, and it must pain her greatly not to be able to place Lizzie. Who wouldn’t want the charming girl? He thought back to how she’d called him Mr. Max. How had Beth managed to keep the two curious children away from him?

  He longed to see Annie—to make sure she was doing as well as Beth had said. But unless he changed his mind and made the decision to keep her, he couldn’t do that. It would only upse
t her more when they parted.

  “I want you to stay here until tomorrow. Then you can return home if you feel you’re up to it, but no blacksmithing for at least two weeks.”

  Cade thought of the work he’d already neglected at his shop. “Doc—”

  The man held up a hand. “Two weeks. You have a concussion and must exercise caution. If you’re still having headaches then, wait until they are gone to go back to work. Swinging those big hammers and listening to them bang the anvil will only make the pain in your head worse.”

  Cade nodded. The headaches still plagued him, but he hoped they would lessen soon. People counted on him to repair their wagons and tools and to make hinges and other things they needed. With the bridge out, they’d have to ride more than two days to find another smithy.

  “You can get up and walk around, but if you start feeling dizzy, sit down or head back in here.”

  “Yes, sir.” Cade longed to see Beth again, but if he went into the parlor of the suite, the girls would see him. “Do you have a book I could read?”

  The taciturn man actually chuckled. “Not unless you like medical journals. I’ll ask Beth to see if Mrs. Reinhardt has one you can borrow, but let me warn you, focusing on small letters for any length of time might worsen your head pain.” Dr. Ruskin rose. “I’ll have Beth bring your lunch in soon.”

  Great. What was he supposed to do all day, cooped up in a tiny room? Listening to the girls muffled chatter and giggles yesterday had just about driven him loco. Spending just a few days with Beth and Lizzie had already helped Annie to talk better. It pained him to think he hadn’t spoken to her enough.

  Once again wrestling with his decision to give up Annie, he stared at a picture on the wall of Jesus holding a lamb. “Did I make the wrong choice, Lord?”