A Promise to Believe In

by Tracie Peterson

  “Partners? Have you heard nothing I’ve said?” Gwen picked up the broom and began to sweep. “ ‘What fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness?’ ”

  “Oh, don’t go getting all religious on me. I’m not such a bad sort. We could get married, if that made you feel better about things.”

  Gwen’s jaw dropped. Had she really heard his nonchalant suggestion that they wed? He laughed and stepped toward her. Gwen backed up until she hit the wall of the house.

  “I could show you a real good time, Miss Gwen. You wouldn’t want for anything. We could run this place and my place together, but you could just stay here and run Gallatin House if you preferred.”

  Pushing at Rafe’s chest, Gwen shook her head. “I would never marry you.”

  “What’s going on here?” Hank asked.

  Gwen looked up to see Hank and Mr. Sherman standing at the bottom of the steps. Relief washed over her and she hurried to step out of Rafe’s reach.

  “I was just reminding Miss Gwen that winter is coming, and she and her sisters will soon be hard-pressed to keep up with their work load. Their old man might not have been much of a businessman, but at least he was a man. They are three ladies on their own, and that doesn’t bode well for them.”

  “And why would that be?” Hank questioned. “Given your gentlemanly nature, wouldn’t you keep an eye out for their well-being?”

  “That’s what I was just suggesting. I proposed marriage, but Miss Gwen isn’t of a mind to take my offer.” Rafe pushed back his stringy hair and smiled. “Even though I could show her a real good time.”

  “I thought the point was to keep the ladies safe, not entertained.” Hank stepped up on the porch and took a possessive stance beside Gwen.

  “Like I said, those gals are gonna need help. Winter is sure to be fierce, and they’ll need more wood and water, not to mention supplies.”

  “And marriage to you would somehow change that?” Hank asked rather sarcastically.

  Rafe squared his shoulders. “I made her a good offer. Any single woman should be honored to have a man ask for her hand. It weren’t like I was expectin’ her to live in sin.”

  “Of course not,” Hank said, turning to Gwen. “So he proposed a legitimate offer of marriage, but you denied him?” Gwen nodded, and Hank looked back to Rafe. “You have the lady’s answer, Mr. Reynolds.”

  “Come winter, she’ll be sorry. Especially when she or her sisters have to drive out for supplies.”

  “Well, that’s the beauty of it,” Hank said with a smile. “She won’t have to. You see, Mr. Sherman and I have just struck a deal to open a new store here to the north of Gallatin House.”

  Gwen’s stomach tightened. What was he saying? Was he planning to live here, or would he simply be a long-distance partner living in Boston while owning a piece of Montana?

  “You got the VanHoutens to agree to sell you a parcel of land? I’ve been after them for months, and they wouldn’t even entertain the idea.”

  “Perhaps they didn’t like your plans for the property,” Hank replied. “They seemed quite enthusiastic upon hearing plans for a general mercantile.”

  Rafe bit at his lower lip for a moment, then stomped down the porch steps. “It really don’t change a thing. The Gallatins will still find themselves in need of help, and they won’t get it from me.” He paused and turned to look Gwen in the eyes. “You mark my words, you won’t last the winter.”

  “Is that a threat?” Gwen asked.

  Rafe laughed and continued on his way. “It’s just the facts of life in Montana. You’ve spent winters here before.”

  “Such a pleasant fellow,” Mr. Sherman said once Rafe had returned to his saloon.

  Gwen shook her head. “He’ll no doubt go back there and take his anger at me out on everyone else. Ellie came over to check on Beth’s condition, and he found her here. He was none too happy. I wish I could do something to make her life better.”

  “You can’t save the world, Gwen,” Hank countered. “It’s much too big a place.”

  “I don’t want to save the world,” she replied. “Just maybe make my corner of it a little better.”

  Rafe stormed through the saloon and into his office. He’d had more than he cared to of those self-righteous Gallatins. Now they had a new friend in Hank Bishop, and the man was planning to stick around.

  He barely saw Wyman following behind him before slamming the door shut. “What do you want?” he called out.

  Wyman pushed open the door hesitantly and peered inside. “Problems?”

  “You could say that,” Rafe said, turning back to his desk. He took up a nearly empty bottle of whiskey and drank down the contents before slamming it back on the desktop. “I’ve had it with interference to my plans.”

  Wyman shook his head. “Who’s interferin’?”

  “The Gallatins and their uppity city-friend Bishop. Do you know that he plans to open a mercantile on the other side of the stage stop?” Rafe looked at Wyman and could see from the man’s expression that he hadn’t heard the news. “That’s right. He plans to put in a store. Next thing you know, this whole area will be teeming with law and order.”

  “I hadn’t heard about the store, but I did know there were several new homesteaders in the area. He probably heard about that, too. Seem to be new folks in the area every summer.”

  “I don’t so much mind the homesteaders,” Rafe admitted. He leaned back against his desk. “They usually bring me business and yet aren’t so close as to be a nuisance. But a store and other businesses will put demands on us—probably drive us out altogether and make this a temperance town.”

  “Ain’t too many of those in Montana,” Wyman said with a laugh. “Sure, there’s always a few, but folks around here like their whiskey too much.”

  “They like it enough to just head over to Bozeman or elsewhere.”

  Rafe dropped down on the chair and shook his head. There had to be a way to slow down progress. He’d done his best to discourage the railroad fellows when they’d come through to survey. He and Wyman had both regaled them with stories of flooding and other problems, mostly fabricated. Unlike most folks who saw the railroad as a boon to business, Rafe had other plans. He knew that with all the area ranches, he could expand his business. He could have gaming and even bring in entertainment from the bigger cities. He saw Rafe’s Saloon as an oasis in the middle of an isolated land. And if he could just get rid of the Gallatin girls, he’d have a first-rate place to set up a large brothel—maybe the largest in the territory.

  “There has to be a way to convince those girls to go.”

  “Maybe if the dangers seem to increase in the area, they’ll leave,” Wyman suggested. “If that youngest one noses in over here again, something unpleasant could happen to persuade them.”

  Rafe nodded. “I had considered that. The only trouble there is, the law would be sure to get involved. They don’t take well to women suffering such fates in these parts. Someone’d be strung up for sure.”

  Wyman folded his arms and nodded. “Well, there’s bound to be a solution. We just ain’t thought of it yet.”

  “Yeah, well, now we have to deal with Bishop, as well,” Rafe said in disgust. “If it ain’t pious, saintly women, it’s dandies. They’re ruining this country.”

  “A store would be a great addition,” Patience Shepard said. “We have enough new families in the area, and more are sure to follow, what with the railroad planning to come through here.”

  “Have they decided the route?” Gwen asked. She had taken time out of her busy schedule to ride over to the Shepards’ on the pretense of needing cream and butter. What she really hoped to address was the issue of Lacy.

  “No, but Jerry thinks they will come through this way. After all, it’s well traveled, and there’s plenty of water for the train engines.” Patience smiled and offered Gwen more tea. “Of course, the best news of all has been the circuit rider. I can hardly believe we’ll get to have regular services. Wel
l, at least every third Sunday. The rest of the time Jerry has gotten several of the men to agree to lead us. It will almost be like having a real church.”

  “I know. Beth and Lacy will be surprised when I tell them. Maybe even more so after I explain that I’ve volunteered Gallatin House for the meetings,” Gwen said, taking a sip from her cup.

  “It’s a very generous offer and more centrally located than our ranch. I think we’ll see an even bigger turnout that way. Jerry said if you have the space for the piano, he’ll have it brought over as soon as possible. With the girls gone, no one plays it anyway.”

  “He can bring it over anytime. We’ll put it in the front room, but we’ll need to find someone who can play it. None of us ever learned how.”

  “I think Mrs. VanHouten plays. Perhaps she’d be willing. If not, I’m sure someone will come along in time.”

  “I can hardly wait to get to know everyone,” Gwen said. “I remember when we lived elsewhere, Sunday was such a wonderful day of worship and visiting. I’d like to see us all share meals and just enjoy the day.”

  “I’d like that, too,” Patience admitted. She put her cup aside and smoothed down her skirt. “But why don’t you tell me why you really came here today? I can see that something is troubling you.”

  Gwen nodded. “It’s Lacy. She’s continuing to put herself in danger because of Father’s death.”

  “I know. Dave had a talk with me.” She gave Gwen a sympathetic smile. “Your sister knows no fear. That’s a dangerous state to be in.”

  “I know enough fear for the both of us, to be honest. I’m worried that something really bad will happen to her.” Gwen put her cup and saucer aside and leaned toward Patience. “With a rifle at her side, Lacy thinks she can take on any man. But I fear they may harm her virtue.”

  “It’s true. There are a great many rowdies and ne’er-do-wells. I’d hate it to become so bad that a woman couldn’t ride around on her own without fearing danger.”

  Gwen swallowed hard. The idea of Lacy being hurt was almost more than she could bear. “I have suggested what we talked about—you and me.”

  “About sending your sisters to my folks?”

  “Yes. Perhaps I broached the subject poorly, for neither one wanted to hear anything about it. But I can’t help but wonder if it wouldn’t be best. It might lessen their problems.”

  “What about you?”

  Gwen shook her head. “Sometimes I think I’m their biggest problem of all.”

  “You can’t possibly be serious. You’ve mothered them and nursed them when they were sick, been a help and a companion. You are far too important to them, Gwen.” Patience frowned. “This isn’t still about your thoughts on being cursed, is it?”

  “I try not to believe myself to be cursed, but then something like Beth’s accident happens and I’m full of doubts.” Gwen knew Patience wouldn’t approve of her confession, but it felt good just to admit to her struggle. “If I hadn’t been racing up the stairs without paying attention, Beth would never have fallen.”

  “You aren’t cursed, Gwen. You have to accept that truth, or you very well may bring worse trouble upon yourself.”

  Gwen stiffened and eyed Patience intently. “Why? What do you mean?”

  “Only that sometimes we bring these things upon ourselves by willing them to be. If you decide that you’re cursed and continue to act as though you are, you very well may find enough problems in life to convince yourself that you’re right. Then you’ll miss out on the liberty and victory you could have had—the joy and happiness. There is something to be said about thinking on the positive side of life. Remember, the Bible also tells us to think on pure and lovely things.”

  Gwen nodded, knowing Patience was right. “I’m trying. I suppose I get anxious about working out all the details. I know being anxious is wrong, but I love my sisters and hate to think they might somehow suffer because of me.”

  “Darling girl, everyone suffers from time to time. Continue to trust that God will see you through this, and pray for His guidance.”

  Gwen drew a deep breath and sighed. Why did someone always have to remind Gwen of such a simple thing as trusting God and praying? How weary the Lord must grow of me and my lack of faith.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  “Just hold on. I promise I won’t drop you,” Hank told Beth as he carried her downstairs.

  “I’m going to close my eyes,” she said, pressing her face against his shoulder. “This just doesn’t seem at all safe. You should have waited for help.”

  Hank laughed. “I assure you, I can manage. You hardly weigh anything at all.”

  He met Gwen’s amused gaze as he came to the bottom of the stairs. “I believe your sister doubted my abilities to assist in her delivery to the breakfast table.”

  Just then, Nick and Simon bounded into the foyer. Nick looked at Hank and frowned. Well, perhaps it was more of a scowl, Hank decided.

  “What’s going on?” Simon asked.

  Beth looked up and smiled. “Gwen said I could come downstairs today. But while I’ve finally had enough days in bed to merit the opportunity to sit up for breakfast, I apparently am not released to climb up or down the stairs. I keep telling her I feel fine, but she won’t listen.”

  “You need to follow the doctor’s orders,” Gwen interjected. “He’s due to come back and visit you in a couple of days. We’ll see what he says then.”

  Beth rolled her eyes, and Hank laughed. Gwen meanwhile motioned them all to the dining room. “Breakfast is getting cold.”

  Nick and Simon stepped back to allow Hank to pass by with Beth. Hank couldn’t help but feel that they were watching his every move. It was clear that the Lassiter boys felt possessive of the Gallatin sisters, but perhaps even more so of Beth. They waited until Hank deposited her on a well-padded chair before taking up residence on the seats on either side.

  Lacy poured coffee for the men but said very little. Hank could see she was still nursing hurt feelings; she’d hardly said two words all morning.

  Gwen offered grace, then passed a plate of scones to Hank. He smiled, remembering his English cook in Boston. Scones were one of his specialties, but Hank had a feeling these would taste every bit as good.

  “Are you truly feeling better, Beth?” Nick asked. He took a huge slice of fried ham but kept his gaze on the woman at his side.

  “Oh goodness, yes. My back hardly bothers me at all. I feel like a pampered princess as I lie about all day, doing nothing but reading.” She looked at Gwen. “Perhaps you and Lacy should take your turns after I’m up and about. Of course, I would recommend leaving off with the fall down the stairs.”

  The men chuckled at this, but neither Lacy nor Gwen so much as smiled. Hank knew Gwen was quite touchy on the subject of her sister’s fall. He also knew he had played a role in it. Had he not upset her, Gwen would never have gone running without giving thought to others in her path.

  “Have you thought to soak your back in the hot springs?” Nick asked. “I’d be happy to carry you down there, if you thought it might help.”

  Beth’s cheeks turned slightly red, but it was Gwen who answered. “We’ve brought hot water to the house and helped her soak here in our tub. No doubt it has aided in her recovery.” She picked up a bowl of berries. “Would you care for some?” She held the mixture out to Nick. “Lacy picked them just yesterday, and they’re quite delicious mixed into your oatmeal.”

  Hank eyed his bowl of oatmeal with some amusement. He looked up to catch Beth watching him. She grinned, and he couldn’t help but chuckle. “I think berries sound delicious.”

  Nick helped himself to the berries, then offered them to Hank. “So we hear tell that you’re planning to build a mercantile, Hank.”

  “That’s right. Brewster Sherman and I discussed the potential for a store here on the stage route and decided it would do well.” He spooned the berry concoction onto his cereal and passed the bowl back to Nick.

  “Bruce ought to know.” Nic
k turned to Beth and handed her the berry bowl.

  “He does know a great deal about the valley,” Hank said, stirring cream into his oatmeal. “There are already several new families in the immediate area, and after further investigation, we’ve learned that many others have applied for homesteads.”

  “Maybe it won’t be all that long before we can have a regular town,” Simon said. “I, for one, would like to see us grow.”

  “I’m sure Rafe would be less than enthusiastic,” Lacy said, joining the conversation for the first time. “He would hate to see real law and order come to this place.”

  “I imagine that’s true,” Hank said, meeting her gaze. “Still, I think we’ll have more folks in the area wanting it than not.”

  “Well, I hope you’ll carry smithing supplies,” Simon threw out.

  “That’s a good idea,” Hank agreed. “I hadn’t fully considered what all to carry. Bruce and I discussed it and knew there would be a great need for everyday things like lantern oil, matches, candles, food items, canning equipment, and so forth. We also figured to have gardening and ranching supplies.”

  Nick waved his fork as if to emphasize his words. “You’d do well to lay in feed and seed.”

  “Sounds like quite a large store,” Gwen remarked.

  Hank buttered a scone and smiled. “It seemed a sound investment, what with the traffic this area sees.” He bit into the scone and marveled at the taste of cinnamon and cloves. “Mmmm, this is delicious.”

  “Gwen has always been the best baker in our family,” Beth said with a giggle. “The first time I tried to make scones, I nearly set the house on fire, remember?”

  “Remember?” Lacy questioned. “I can still smell burnt cinnamon in my sleep.”

  Gwen smiled. “You were only twelve, Beth. You shouldn’t be so hard on yourself. You can make an excellent scone these days.”

  “I have a cook who came to me from Manchester, and he can certainly make nothing better than this. Of course, I won’t mention that to him. It’s likely to send him packing. He’s a very sensitive sort,” Hank told them.