Reluctant Bride (Dakota Brides Book 4)

by Linda Ford

  He returned home, hungry and frustrated. Agnes had prepared food for the day so he served himself and Tex. They were a morose pair sitting at the table.

  Hoofbeats informed them someone rode up. Nels was on his feet and out the door in seconds. Braydon. He’d meant to go see if the boy was missing as soon as he’d finished eating.

  Agnes couldn’t have gone far to leave him behind.

  Braydon swung down and ran toward the house. He stepped inside and stared around. “Where is everyone?”

  Tex grunted. “You mean where’s Miss Agnes and the girls?”

  “Yeah that’s what I mean.” The boy looked from Tex to Nels and must have seen the despair in their eyes. “What’s wrong?”

  “Sit down and eat,” Nels said. Ray sat at his plate and ate, though it was obvious he had no appetite. “Your aunt was at church.”

  Braydon groaned. “What did she say?”

  “Well, first she said you are to be in church every Lord’s Day.” Nels couldn’t help himself, he emphasized the final two words in imitation of Miss Taks.

  “That sounds just like her. What else?”

  “She said vile things about Miss Agnes.”

  “Just like before.” His voice broke and he looked ready to cry.

  “I’ll find them,” Nels promised. “And I’ll bring them home. I’m just waiting for Mr. Smith to come and tell me where he took them.”

  “Guess I better check on those cows.” Braydon left with bowed shoulders.

  “Poor lad,” Tex said. “He’s afraid he’s going to lose her again.”

  “I’m afraid of the same thing.” Nels washed up the dishes then stood on the doorstep waiting for Mr. Smith to show up. Tex joined him, sitting on the chair by the door.

  But dark descended and the man did not appear.

  “He ain’t coming now.” Tex sounded weary.

  “I suppose you’re right. I’ll leave at first light and go talk to him.”

  “You mind sleeping in the house? It’ll seem awfully empty without Agnes and the little ones.”

  “Don’t mind at all.” He knew he had to eat and had to make sure Tex ate, so he fried up a couple eggs for each of them. Then when Tex went to bed Nels went to Agnes’s room.

  It was the closest he could get to her until he found her and brought her back.

  What if she wouldn’t come back?

  He was up the next morning and on his way to town as the sky colored pink and orange and purple. God, help me find her. Surely a God who could create such beauty in the sky could help him.

  Half an hour later, he rode into the livery barn. “Mr. Smith,” he called.

  The man descended the stairway to the upper floor. He planted his top hat on his head as he reached the ground. “Gus told me you wanted me to ride out to your place, but it was dark by the time I got back.”

  “You took Miss Bland and the girls somewhere?”

  “Maybe did. Maybe didn’t. I ain’t one to make someone else’s business mine.”

  “Did you hear the stories told by the schoolteacher?”

  “Maybe did. Maybe didn’t.”

  “I wouldn’t want any harm to come to them.”

  Mr. Smith nodded. “Good to know.”

  “Where did you take them?”

  “Well, now, Miss Agnes asked me ’specially not to tell anyone and I promised I wouldn’t. I pride myself on being a man of my word.”

  “Mr. Smith, please, I implore you to tell me. I need to find them.”

  “Sorry. A man who can’t keep his word is of no account.”

  Arggh. “Normally I would agree but it’s of the utmost importance that I find them.”

  Mr. Smith studied Nels up and down.

  Nels held his breath, waiting for the man’s approval.

  Mr. Smith shook his head. “Sorry, can’t break my promise.”

  Nels rode away before he lost his temper.

  At home, Tex followed him to the barn. “What did you learn?”

  “That Mr. Smith is a stubborn man. He said he promised not to tell where he’d taken them. He could not be persuaded otherwise.”

  Tex chuckled. “Sounds like yer regretting that the man is honorable.”

  “I suppose I am. Now what?”

  “I could use some coffee and maybe a piece of bread.”

  Nels sighed. “Breakfast coming right up.” They went to the house. The silent, empty house. Nels made breakfast then went out and did the chores. He thought about the plowing he still needed to do, but what difference did it make whether or not he finished it? He went to the shed and looked at the sign Nels’s Place. He sat on the edge of the cot, his face buried in his hands.

  He didn’t care about any of this without Agnes. Where are you?

  He didn’t know how long he sat there before he heard a rider and jumped up to race out to the yard. “Braydon.”

  “She back?”

  Nels rumbled his lips. “Haven’t found her. How are you doing?” It must be hard for the boy.

  Braydon shrugged. “I can’t believe she left me again.”

  “It was to protect the girls. She vowed she wouldn’t let the same thing happen to them as happened to you. She ached for you always.”

  “I guess there’s some comfort in that.” He fell in beside Nels as they made their way to the house. “Maybe it’s too much to expect things would work out for me.”

  Tex waited as they entered the house. “Boy, yer too young to become bitter. Don’t think that’s what Miss Agnes would want.”

  Braydon hung his head. “I guess not, but it sure is hard to believe in God’s goodness on days like this. Aunt Millicent is an upright person, but she doesn’t have any mercy in her. Is that what God’s like?”

  As they continued talking Nels brought out some biscuits from the pantry.

  Tex took one. “Sure miss her cooking.” He turned to Braydon. “I look at the sunrise and the sunset. I look at tiny flowers tucked away where no one will ever see them unless they stumble on them. I listen to the doves cooing in the evening. And you know what? I tell myself that a God who makes so much beauty for the sheer pleasure of it is a good and kind God. It’s people like your aunt and a few others that come to mind that ruin the way we see Him.”

  Nels stared at the old man. He’d known him a few years and never in all that time had he heard the man say so many words all at once.

  “Don’t be looking so surprised. A man has plenty of time to think when he’s all alone.”

  Braydon nodded. “I’ve been thinking too. And I figure she’ll come back.”

  “What makes you say that, son?” Tex asked.

  Braydon looked down, his ears red. “Because she loves me.” He lifted his head and looked at Nels and Tex. “And she loves both of you.”

  Tex mumbled something and looked pleased.

  Nels considered the boy for a long moment. “I think love might not be enough.”

  “Of course it is.” Braydon was offended.

  “What I mean is, love for us might not be enough. She knows we’re all big enough to take care of ourselves. Those little girls aren’t, and she loves them too.”

  The truth of his words had them all hanging their heads and trying to hide their pain.

  Braydon jumped up, knocking his chair back. “She’s coming. What did I tell you?”

  Nels heard the approach of a wagon too. The three of them rushed to the door, Tex bringing up the rear as he hobbled on his crutches.

  They watched down the road as a buggy and a lone rider approached.

  Nels knew it wasn’t her unless she had the girls crowded on the floor.

  Braydon shielded his eyes. “It’s my aunt.” He couldn’t have sounded any more disgusted. “What does she want?”

  “We’re about to find out.” Nels bigger concern was the man riding at the side of the buggy.

  “Sheriff,” Tex hissed. “What does he want?”

  The driver reined in, dismounted, and helped Miss Taks down. Th
e sheriff swung from his horse.

  None of the three men watching offered a greeting.

  Miss Taks marched up to the trio. “Braydon, I want you to come back home.”

  “No.”

  She blinked. “I order you to do so.”

  “No.” He moved behind Nels.

  Tex stood shoulder to shoulder with Nels, shielding the boy from this demanding woman with the pinched face.

  Miss Taks scowled at them both. “Are you interfering with my ward?”

  “Just standing here, miss,” Nels said.

  “You’re protecting that woman.” At the way Miss Taks’s face twisted, she might have swallowed bitter gall.

  “I would be careful how you speak,” Nels warned her.

  She sniffed. “And now you’re aiding and abetting my nephew to defy me. I will not let him stay here with that woman. Braydon, come now.”

  “No.”

  Nels had to give the boy credit for gumption in standing up to the woman. Her expression was enough to make many a man cower.

  “Sheriff, please remove my nephew from these premises.”

  “Ma’am, you gave me to believe that a child was being held against his wishes. What I see is a young man old enough to make his own choices and free to leave if he wants.”

  “I don’t want to.” Braydon’s voice was strong and sure.

  “Sheriff, I order you to make him come.”

  “Ma’am, I don’t take orders from you.” He returned to his horse and rode away.

  Miss Taks’s look had the power to scald anyone in her way but Nels didn’t care what the woman said, or threatened.

  He took a step forward, forcing the woman to tip her head back. “You have maliciously said things about Miss Agnes with the intent of ruining her standing in this area. Your brother did that once before by paying people to lie for him. Neither you nor he cared if you hurt her. You didn’t even care if you hurt Braydon. Don’t think you can do it again. I won’t allow it.” He had no idea how he could stop the meddling woman, but he’d certainly try.

  Tex leaned on his crutch to squint at the schoolteacher. “I’ve known people like you. So self-righteous you squeak, yet inside, a cauldron of jealousy and hatred. Miss Agnes is worth a thousand of the likes of you and we’ll make sure everyone in town knows it.”

  Miss Taks pressed her lips together until they disappeared. Then she marched away, her head high.

  The three of them watched until the dust of the departing buggy rolled out of sight.

  Nels laughed. “Old man, you are getting mighty talkative.” He turned to Braydon. “You are a brave young man to stand up to her.”

  “It’s time,” he said.

  “Yes, it’s time. But we still need to find Agnes and the girls.”

  They returned to the house but at the door, Tex stopped. “You say Mr. Smith won’t tell you where she is?”

  “A man of honor, right?”

  “Give me a ride to town and let me talk to him.”

  “Tex, your leg.”

  “Never mind my leg.”

  “For an injured old man, you sure are bossy.”

  Tex laughed. “I’ve been taking lessons from young Braydon here.”

  The boy grinned. “I’ve been taking lessons from both of you. I’ll go check on the cows, but I’m coming back toward dark to see if you’ve found her.”

  Braydon rode away and Nels headed for town with Tex in the back. Nels figured it would be torture for Tex even with sacks of grain steadying his leg.

  “How are you going to persuade Mr. Smith to tell you when I couldn’t?” he called over his shoulder.

  “I’m going to appeal to his better side.” Tex chuckled.

  Nels wished he could believe Tex could get the information, but Mr. Smith had been insistent that he couldn’t break his promise.

  Agnes, where are you?

  13

  “Auntie Agnes, why did we have to leave in such a hurry?” Lila asked again. “I never got a chance to say goodbye to Uncle Nels, or Uncle Tex or Braydon. Won’t they miss us?”

  “I’m sure they will.” She put dinner before them.

  “When will we see them again?” Hettie asked. “I miss them.” She teared up.

  Agnes hugged both girls. “We’ll be all right.” They had arrived at Nels’s sister house midafternoon yesterday, and she’d appealed to Elin and Sam to provide her a place to stay. She explained the situation and made sure the girls were out of hearing when she added, “I won’t lose the girls like I lost Braydon.” Somehow she managed to contain the pain at having to leave him once again. And Nels and Tex. But Millicent had left her no choice.

  “You’re more than welcome,” Elin said. “You can stay with us.”

  “I noticed your bunkhouse. Anyone living there at present?”

  Elin stared. “You’re not asking to live there?”

  “If you don’t mind.” She wanted some time alone to think through her future.

  Elin looked at Sam. “What do you think?”

  “It’s empty at the moment.” He turned to Agnes. “We can lend you clean bedding and you can join us for meals.”

  “Could I use the cookhouse?”

  “Percy will have your hide if you disturb his things.”

  “I promise he won’t know we’ve been there.”

  Elin and Sam had reluctantly agreed. Agnes had to admit sleeping in the bunkhouse had a certain element of adventure to it, but at least they were alone. The cookhouse, on the other hand, was spotless. The girls seemed awed at the long table.

  “It’s only for a little while,” she assured them.

  The girls had finished eating and gone outside to play with Joey when Elin entered the cookhouse. “I’ve come hoping to feed the baby.”

  “She’s just wakened.” Agnes handed the baby and bottle to Elin and began gathering up the dirty dishes.

  “You know this situation must be temporary. The hands will be coming in soon. You are more than welcome to move in with us. But Agnes, what is it you want?”

  “To keep the girls safe. I know this is not ideal. But I need time to think about the future.”

  Elin nodded. “And what kind of future do you want?”

  “I don’t know.” Except she did. “I don’t know if I can have what I want. I can’t keep running. It’s not what’s best for the girls, and sooner or later I will run out of places to flee to.”

  “Agnes, what does your heart tell you to do?”

  “If I had the wings of a dove! For then would I fly away, and be at rest.” She knew similar words were in the Bible but couldn’t have said where or what they referred to, but they so perfectly fit her longing. “I would like nothing better than to find rest.” Her gaze went to the window. Her heart returned to home and Nels.

  Elin chuckled. “You’ve fallen for my brother. Agnes, follow your heart.”

  “I fear for the girls. I lost Ray and it almost destroyed me. I couldn’t survive losing these precious little ones.” Her throat closed off and she blinked back tears.

  “You need to talk to a lawyer. Wait. One of the ladies in town has her brother visiting and he’s a lawyer. Come on, get ready and we’ll go to town.”

  “Right now?”

  “No time like the present. Besides, you know you won’t rest until this is settled.”

  Several hours later, Elin, Agnes, and the children returned to the ranch. Agnes couldn’t stop smiling.

  “You’re satisfied?” Elin asked.

  “The lawyer assured me my letter makes it impossible for anyone to snatch the children from me. Doc knew what he was doing when he and a neighbor witnessed Mrs. Long’s signature.” Agnes shivered. “I’m still a little afraid. I know the damage words can do.”

  Elin patted her hand. “Remember, you are not alone this time.”

  “I trust God will help me.”

  Elin slanted her a teasing glance. “I hope you trust others to assist you too.”

  Agnes nodded. “I be
lieve it strongly enough that I am going to return to Grassy Plains.”

  Elin chuckled. “Or do you mean a certain farm near the town?”

  Agnes pretended to look unconcerned. “I might. If only—”

  “Agnes, there is no doubt that Nels will welcome you back. Get your things together tonight and tomorrow morning, I’ll take you back to my brother.”

  “Thank you.” It didn’t take long to prepare to leave as she hadn’t unpacked anything but the essentials. She fed the girls and got them settled for the night. Merry wakened and fussed even after her feeding.

  Agnes didn’t mind spending a few hours with her. It would help pass the time as she waited for dawn and for Elin to be ready to leave.

  Merry fell asleep and Agnes stretched out on the narrow bunk, knowing sleep would be slow to come. The lawyer’s assurance had given her strength to—as Elin said—follow her heart. And her heart belonged back at a little farm, with the hope of a life shared with Nels.

  Would he welcome her into his home? Into his life? Into his heart?

  She slept, and wakened to Merry crying. She bounced from bed, took the baby, and rushed over to the cookhouse to prepare the bottle. Dawn crept over the horizon on pink tiptoes.

  She sat where she could see the ranch house, anxious to see a lamp lit or a door open to indicate Sam and Elin were up. Merry finished her bottle and fell asleep in Agnes’s arms before Sam left the house and crossed toward the barn. He saw Agnes and waved.

  Agnes waved back. The girls stirred inside the bunkhouse and she went inside, put the baby in her cradle, and helped the girls get dressed. She put all their belongings in the satchel and boxes.

  “We’re going home?” Lila bounced on her tiptoes, her face full of anxiety.

  “Yes, we are.”

  “When?” the child demanded.

  “This morning. As soon as Aunt Elin is ready. But first, we must have breakfast.”

  “Why? Can’t we go now?”

  “You’ll be hungry before we get there, so we’ll eat first.”

  Hettie and Lila both argued that they wouldn’t be hungry until they were back home.

  “I think Aunt Elin will want to make breakfast for Uncle Sam and Joey.”

  She shepherded the girls across to the cookhouse and prepared breakfast.