by Linda Ford
Nate took her hand and smiled at her. “You certainly have. You are brave and strong and courageous.” His smile fled. “Just don’t take it too far.”
She quirked an eyebrow at him.
He chuckled. “You will do whatever you make up your mind to do. Always have. I suppose you always will. Sometimes it’s for the good, but it can also land you in a heap of trouble.”
“I landed okay, wouldn’t you say?” She referred to jumping off Vic’s horse.
“This time. Next time might not turn out as well.”
She shuddered. “I hope there is no next time with Vic.”
He squeezed her hand. “I think we all share your opinion.”
Missy pulled the curtains down over the windows on either side of her. “Pull yours down, too. That way, if Vic is watching for us, he won’t be able to see we’re in here.”
Louise and Nate quickly let down the curtains. It kept out the cold but also most of the light. She settled back, knowing the hours would be long and dull.
Nate’s head bobbed. The poor man was tired. She took Chloe from him. “Get some sleep.”
“I’m not tired.”
She chuckled at the way his words slurred. In a few minutes his head fell to the side and he slept. She leaned into her corner and watched him.
He was a man with a goal. A purpose. She’d like to help him achieve his dream of a ranch. And she knew she could do it. Hadn’t she been told three times this very morning that she was strong? An asset to her husband and the country? Would he ever see her as such rather than a responsibility, perhaps even a liability?
He wakened with a start when they stopped to change horses and jumped to the ground where he stretched and yawned mightily.
“Come on down,” he said, reaching to assist her. “It’s sunny and bright. A day full of hope and promise.”
Holding the baby in one arm, both she and Missy stepped outside. She breathed in the cold, fresh air.
“Look at the mountains.” He pointed to the west.
She’d been admiring them for days, but today the sun hit the snowy peaks in a way that turned them white and pure. She drank in the sight of them, feeling as if God was very near.
“‘Thy righteousness is like the great mountains: thy judgments are a great deep: O Lord, thou preservest man and beast.’” As she quoted a verse she recalled, her heart swelled with joy and gratitude. Then she remembered something she’d neglected. “I meant to purchase a Bible at the fort.”
She was still regretting her oversight when it was time to climb aboard again. Once they were settled, Nate reached for his travel bag and pulled out a parcel and handed it to her.
“What is this?”
“Open it and see.”
She hesitated.
“Hurry up,” Missy urged.
Louise untied the string and folded back the brown paper. “A Bible.” She stroked the leather cover, lifted it and felt its weight. She opened the gold gilt pages. “It’s beautiful.” Her voice caught in the back of her throat. “Thank you.”
“I didn’t forget.”
Their gazes met and held. Did he mean his words as a promise? Or a warning? Likely both. A promise to see her safely to Eden Valley Ranch and a warning their pretend marriage would end there.
She turned her eyes toward the Bible. She would cherish it forever, not only because she could now discover truths about God, but because Nate had bought it for her. When they parted ways, she would have her memories and this Bible.
They would have to be enough.
*
Nate was relieved that Louise spent much of the day reading from the Bible he’d bought for her. Only one other thing would have pleased him more. If she’d slept. She had to be tired and immensely sore, though she did her best to hide it.
He smiled as he thought of how Kamoose and Colonel Macleod had saluted her. She certainly deserved the respect she’d earned at the fort. As many of the men said, she was the sort of woman who could handle the challenges of the new West.
Once he’d taken care of the details of buying the place, he’d see if she would like to be part of building a new ranch. He smiled to himself at the thought of Louise and Chloe in the improved cabin on what he hoped would soon be his land.
In his mind he envisioned how she’d make it a real home, all the touches she would add to it. Before he knew it, he’d passed the whole day and they were stopping for the night just before dark. “Our last time to sleep in a stopping house before we reach Eden Valley Ranch.”
She grinned widely. “I won’t be sorry to sleep in a proper bed night after night, but I also can’t say I’ve minded the adventure of this journey.” Her gaze held his, seeking something more. His foolish heart wished she had enjoyed the closeness they’d shared on the trip.
The stopping house was smaller than most they’d slept in; the host somewhat taciturn. But none of that mattered. Tomorrow they would reach Edendale. He’d buy that piece of land and then ask Louise if she wanted to share the future with him.
He took his turn walking Chloe throughout the night and promised himself the first piece of furniture for his cabin would be a rocking chair.
The next morning they rose early and left before the sun broke over the horizon. On the last leg of their journey, he lifted the curtain so they could see the sunrise. Orange and pink and red filled the sky.
Louise leaned over his shoulder. “It’s beautiful.”
“The promise of a good day and more to come.” A future as bright as the sun beckoned.
They made good time throughout the day, with Petey as eager to reach their destination as any of them. It was midafternoon when they approached Edendale. Nate opened the curtains so he could point out the various landmarks. Then the stage rolled to a stop before Macpherson’s store.
He jumped down, helped the ladies to the wooden sidewalk in front of the store, smiling at the little bundle cradled in Louise’s arms, then turned to help Petey unload the trunks. He meant to go to the livery stables and rent a wagon to take him to Eden Valley Ranch, but a wagon rolled up behind the stage and Buster, the youngest cowboy from the ranch, hailed him.
“Say, are you heading back to the ranch?” Nate asked.
“As soon as I pick up the order from the store.”
“We’ll ride along, if that’s okay.”
“Sure thing.”
Nate turned and introduced Missy, Louise and the baby. Buster stared at Missy a moment, swallowed hard, then forced his gaze away. Nate grinned, knowing every man in the area would have the same reaction to Missy’s beauty. He saw her only as the girl he’d known most of his life, almost a little sister. Compared to Louise, Missy was too fragile looking for his taste.
A few minutes later, they were in the wagon headed toward the ranch. Louise, Missy and the baby were in the back. Louise had insisted she’d be more comfortable in the box than on the hard bench.
Nate sat beside Buster. Several times, he turned around to point out various things.
“The new church. It’s almost finished.” Blue and Clara had built the pews recently. “We’re waiting to find a preacher.”
Louise studied the building.
“Back there is where the Mortons run a kind of dining room. They feed travelers and Mrs. Morton bakes goods that Macpherson sells at his store.” Suddenly he could think of so much he wanted to tell her. How Cassie had started the business, and she and Roper had worked together to care for four orphaned children, and were now married and parents to those four children. Strange how a child or children had brought so many of the young married couples together. It seemed to apply to him, as well. If Louise hadn’t been expecting a baby, if she hadn’t needed him to protect her from Vic, if they hadn’t agreed to a pretend marriage…well, things would be vastly different. Seemed God had worked everything out to bring Nate and Louise together.
They left the little town behind. Nate turned his attention to Buster. “What’s new on the ranch?”
“Boss moved the cows down to lower pastures. We had a couple big storms, but they were all safe.” He jerked back. “Say, I almost forgot. There was a man looking for you—Mountain Mike.”
“He’s here? Is he is town with Rufus?” He should have gone there immediately, but he still had plenty of time to talk to him before he returned to the mountains. First, he had to get Missy, Louise and the baby to the ranch, and make sure Eddie knew about Vic.
“No. He left yesterday. Said there was a bad storm coming and he wanted to be in his own little place when it hit.”
The words did not make sense. “Are you saying he’s gone?”
“Yup.”
Nate stared straight ahead. He saw nothing but the gray fog of disappointment.
“Yesterday, you say?”
“Yup. I saw him ride by while I was out checking the cows. Headed up into the mountains. It’s got to be a lonely way to live. I don’t think I’d like it. What do you suppose he does? Read, maybe. Play solitaire.” Buster shook his head.
Nate stopped listening. Mike had come and gone, along with Nate’s chance to buy the ranch.
He had nothing to offer Louise. No home. No future but a hired hand living in the bunkhouse.
His shoulders slumped forward.
There was but one way to change things. He’d go after Mountain Mike. Not tonight. The sun was already touching the mountain peaks, but first thing tomorrow he’d ride after him.
He would not tell Louise of his plans because, until he had something to offer her, there was nothing to speak of.
Chapter Nineteen
Louise couldn’t hear all of what Buster said to Nate, but she’d heard enough. Even though it wasn’t yet Christmas, Nate had missed the man from whom he wanted to buy the land. It was her fault. She’d delayed him with her needs. She wished she could do something to fix the matter for him, but what?
Before she could even offer her regrets, they turned off the road toward a two-story house. She stared. This was the ranch house? She’d expected something a lot more modest.
Nate turned. “Welcome to Eden Valley Ranch.”
She knew he did his best to sound cheerful and welcoming, when he must be full of disappointments and regrets. All because of her.
Missy crowded to her side as they approached the house. “It’s big,” she whispered. “They must be rich and important.”
Nate overheard. “They’re very hospitable. You will be welcomed with open arms.”
The wagon pulled up to the house and before the wheels stopped turning, the big front door flew open and a young woman with brown hair and brown eyes hurried outside.
“Slim, you’re back. And you’ve brought visitors. Come in, all of you.”
Louise tried to think of Nate as Slim, but it would take a little getting used to.
Nate helped Missy from the wagon box, took Chloe and then helped Louise to his side. He led them forward.
“Mrs. Gardiner, may I present my wife, Louise, and her little daughter, Chloe. This is her sister-in-law, Missy.”
To her credit, and Louise’s relief, the woman didn’t reveal any surprise at Nate’s announcement. “So pleased to meet you. Please call me Linette. Come in. Come in.”
Louise clung to Nate’s side as they followed the woman inside. A wide set of stairs led upward. A long hallway passed a number of doors to reveal a stove and cupboards in the far room. Linette led them to the left, where they entered a cozy, warm room, with two green wingback chairs facing a large window overlooking the ranch buildings. Louise looked out the window and tried to take it all in—the row of buildings on either side of a wide roadway, several smaller buildings, two log cabins, a two-story house, a barn and beyond that another two-story house. “It’s like a small town,” she murmured.
Linette moved to her side. “We’ve had to be self-sufficient. When my husband, Eddie, first came, there wasn’t much available in Edendale. We had to get the bulk of our supplies from Fort Macleod. See the mountains. That’s what I enjoy about the view. Soon they’ll wear the colors of sunset, then be filled with mysterious shadows. I never get tired of watching their moods.” She turned to face Louise. “But enough about me. Congratulations on your marriage to Slim.”
“She knows me as Nate,” Nate explained.
“Of course. I’ll try and remember. I’m sure you’ll both be very happy.”
Louise murmured thanks, feeling like a fraud. Soon enough everyone would know the truth, but she couldn’t deal with the shock of revealing it at the moment. Though perhaps Nate wanted to…
But when she glanced at him, his gaze was guarded and she couldn’t read him. It was all she could do not to sigh with a dozen conflicting emotions. Impatience at his impassive exterior. Worry about where she and Missy and a newborn baby would end up. And a long, deep ache of longing for things that always seemed just out of reach.
“Can I see your baby?”
Linette’s request thankfully drew Louise from her dark thoughts and she unwrapped Chloe, who blinked in the light and smacked her lips.
“How old is she?”
“Four days.”
Linette’s mouth dropped open. “That means you had the baby on the trail. My dear, you are a brave, strong woman.”
“The baby wasn’t due until Christmas Day.” Chloe wasn’t quite a Christmas baby, but Louise would always consider her the best Christmas gift ever. “I did what I had to do.” Slightly overwhelmed, she was grateful Nate stood at her side, near enough she felt his comforting strength.
Linette patted her arm. “You did more than many could do. Your baby is the same age as mine.” She went to a cradle in the corner and lifted out a baby. “Meet my son, Jonathan Edward.”
Louise smiled at the little boy still sleeping, even though he’d been lifted from his bed.
Then worry crowded every other thought from her mind. “He’s much sturdier looking than Chloe. Maybe there’s something wrong with her.”
Linette chuckled. “Jonathan was a rather large baby. Chloe looks perfectly fine to me. Now, all of you sit down and tell me everything.” She fixed her gaze on Nate. “Married now. I wasn’t expecting that.”
Neither was he, Louise almost blurted out.
“I’ve known Louise a long time,” Nate said. “She was widowed last spring and needed a home. Seems we were meant to be together.”
Louise wanted to thank him for making it sound so legitimate, even if every word about them belonging together was false. As soon as she had a chance to speak to him privately, she would inform him he could have the marriage annulled whenever he wanted.
And if pain shafted through her like a lightning strike, she wasn’t about to pay it any mind.
“I’ll make tea,” Linette said.
“Let me help.” Louise handed Chloe to Nate and followed her hostess, Missy right behind her.
“Oh, there’s no need. But if you want to come and visit, that would be lovely.”
Louise would help if Linette allowed it, or visit with the woman. But she would not stay alone with Nate as the word annulment burned a hole through her heart, which was plumb foolish. She’d known from the first the marriage was pretend. She hadn’t meant to get so comfortable with the idea of being with him as partners, joint caregivers of the baby and so much more she could not admit at the moment.
If she hadn’t been the cause of him losing his ranch, she might have asked him to continue the pretend marriage. Maybe even make it real. Her chest muscles tightened, so she couldn’t suck in a satisfying breath. She longed to be special to him. Even as he’d always been so special to her from the first day she saw him. The feeling had grown stronger as they’d talked and played together. As they’d shared meals at the Porter home and enjoyed time with the family that had become their surrogate family.
But she had never been anything but another girl. Nate had made that clear when he rode out of her life.
Something flared through her thoughts. He’d tried to convince her to leave with him
after the Porters died. Had he cared about her back then and she was so busy trying to keep things from changing that she never saw it?
Had she been the cause of hurting him then?
As well as the cause of him losing his dream now?
Oh, how she wished she could undo all her mistakes.
Linette and Missy had prepared tea as Louise stood around lost in her thoughts. Missy insisted on carrying the tray.
“After all, both of you ladies have new babies. You are probably weak and tired.”
Louise laughed at Missy’s teasing. “I confess I’m tired, but that’s all.”
Linette chuckled, too. “No one who has been through what Louise has been through can be accused of being weak.”
“You haven’t begun to hear all the things she’s done.” Missy’s voice was so full of admiration it brought a rush of heat to Louise’s cheeks, especially as they had returned to the sitting room and Nate overheard her comments.
Linette handed around the tea and offered cookies. “I want to hear every detail.”
At that moment the outer door in the kitchen opened and closed.
“That will be Eddie,” Linette said, her face glowing with love.
Louise lowered her head, unable to face the comparison between Linette and Eddie, and herself and Nate. Her heart felt near to bursting with the secret knowledge of all she wanted—a home, a family and Nate’s love.
Eddie strode into the room with a little boy at his side. He kissed his wife on the forehead. Linette took his hand and introduced Louise and Missy and the baby.
She drew the boy to her side. “This is our son, Grady. He’s five.”
“Almost six,” Grady said with some importance. He peeked at the baby, then turned his attention to some toys nearby.
“Welcome,” Eddie said. He reached for Nate’s hand. “Congratulations.”
Again, Louise lowered her gaze and studied her white-tipped fingers that lay twisted together in her lap.
When Eddie sat down to visit, Louise wondered if Nate would reveal the real reason for her arrival. She didn’t wonder for long.
“There is a man after Missy and Louise.” Nate quickly explained how Vic meant to own the women and sell the baby.