And yet, what if he was telling the truth of the matter. What if he would be an angry tyrant with her son?
As she looked at Everette, she could see that he was a man hardened by circumstance. Yet, he’d built this vast ranch but for who. With no heirs, who would take the ranch?
She settled down. She needed to please him. There was Marvin to consider. Although Everett had an unreasonable request, he did seem decent. “I can be ready whenever you want.”
He stared at her. “To what?”
She grinned. “See your ranch. Go to town. Will we be back in time for me to visit with Margaret?”
“No, I was thinking we’d stay in San Antonio for a couple nights. Get married if you wanted to.”
She smiled at him, softening her gaze and being careful to choose her words. “Would it be all right if you showed me the ranch this morning, and then I visit Margaret. Tomorrow we could go into town.”
He nodded as if he were mulling over her words. “That sounds reasonable. I’ll go for that. I guess I don’t know how a woman would feel out here. You must need some friendship.”
“Yes, I do.”
Everette walked to her and took her arm. “I have a surprise for you.” He led her out the door.
Christine wanted to pull away, but the small voice inside her persuaded her to go along with him. His touch was gentle. Surprisingly so. Outside, he took her to the corral. A black horse, sweaty and covered with dirt paced around the enclosure as if looking for a way out. Christine watched the animal and knew how the animal felt.
“Isn’t she a beauty?”
Christine stared at the mare. “Well, she’s dirty, looks scared, and doesn’t seem friendly.”
Everette laughed. “Spoken just like a woman. She’s a beauty. You have to see past the dirt. Look at her head and eyes. Intelligent, courageous. She’ll make you the perfect horse. I haven’t broken her yet. That’s why she’s so skittish.”
Christine swallowed hard. She could be that horse. Although at least she was clean. And hoped she was smart. But she was skittish. Afraid of Everette and what he’d say when he found out about Seth. And she was worried about what the nights would be like.
He rested his hands on the corral, admiration in his eyes for the horse. “I’ve got great plans for that mare. She’s the start of a whole new bloodline. See how long her legs are. She’ll stand more than 15 and a half hands. Maybe sixteen when she’s fully grown and fed grain and hay. I figure she’s got some thoroughbred in her.”
Everett took off his hat and rubbed his forehead. The day was already getting warm and sweat beaded his face.
Christine could only nod. As she looked at the mare, she felt a bond with the animal. Both belonged to this man. Oh, she wasn’t a slave, but women had so few rights or ways to make a living. Alone, they were like vulnerable sheep and could be attacked at any time. Marvin was a constant reminder that she needed a protector and provider.
Standing close to her, Everett continued, “That mare is going to be the start of my brand. I’ve got a stallion that will go well with her. He’s a thoroughbred. Their foals will be worth a fortune out here against the smaller mustangs.”
Christine glared at him. Stupid man. Talking about foals and bloodlines and yet he refused to want a child of his own. Anger rose up in her. She turned and slapped him. Hard. “How dare you talk to me about bloodlines and giving that mare foals when you expect me to live as a barren, dried up woman.”
She stormed back into the house. She didn’t care to see his ranch. Not at all. She grabbed her reticule and sat on the bed. She’d wait until he rode out to work the ranch, then she’d walk to Margaret’s. It wasn’t but a mile down the trail.
Chapter 5
Everett rubbed his face. For a little female, she packed a wallop. What got her knickers up wasn’t all that clear to him. He’d explained it all to her. His father had beaten him and his mother until the day Everett had struck back.
He had no desire to pass that on to his children. He wouldn’t. Why Christine couldn’t see that he was being kind and loving to her, he really didn’t understand. He thought she’d love the horse. Want to name her and ride her.
Crazy woman. Perhaps he’d made a mistake by sending that letter off to the mail-order bride agency. Christine was the only one they’d sent him. He hadn’t mentioned that he didn’t want children but hadn’t thought it would be that hard of a request, and he had told her in the last letter he sent to her. And she’d still come to his ranch.
It wasn’t that he hated kids. He just didn’t want any of his own. Or to have any in his house. From a distance, children were cute. Kind of like wolf cubs you see playing and rolling around, but you wouldn’t want them living with you.
Too much trouble. Too loud. Getting into things. All the arguments that his father had yelled at his mother for not keeping him and his brother quiet. Nope, Everett wasn’t falling into that trap.
The sooner Christine understood, the better. He’d not marry her until she agreed, but she better make up her mind and quickly.
No, Everett didn’t see any way that he would ever want children. Not if the McNeal anger and hate were locked inside him. He’d never hurt Christine. She had to know that. Even if she hit him, he’d never strike back.
His mother had said it was the kids that had turned his father mean. That’s what Everett believed. He’d not change his mind.
Everett stared at the house and saw that she wasn’t coming back out. He saddled his horse and rode out to check on the herd on the south range. Maybe she’d come to her senses. He hoped so. He liked her.
She was pretty but skittish like the black mare in the corral.
***
Christine heard him ride away. Good. Still angry at the man, she left the house and walked down the trail to Margaret’s. She couldn’t wait to see Seth and prayed that he was all right and hadn’t cried all night.
She’d weaned him before the trip. He would eat most things and drink from a cup. Her big boy. At one and a half, he was a bright, energetic little boy.
As she walked and looked at the land, she noticed how sparse and brown it was. Dusty had said they needed rain and it wasn’t usually like this. Barren, like Everett wanted her to be.
It was still before noon, and the sun was hot and beat down on her letting her know that it ruled the day. She wasn’t used to the high temperatures, and by the time she saw Margaret’s house, she was dry from thirst.
After a quick knock on the door, Margaret opened it and smiled. “Oh, Miss, you are so hot. Seth did so well last night. He cried a couple of times, but Marinda comforted him. She will make such a good mother.”
Christine saw Marinda smile. She must have been fifteen and as sweet as Sunday pie. The girl grinned and ran to the back of the house and came out with Seth.
Seth toddled to her, grinning, and talking.
Christine picked him up and hugged him. “Oh, baby. Mama missed you so much.”
Seth kissed her with his slobbery, baby kisses. Christine never wanted to let him go. Why couldn’t Everett understand?
Margaret brought her a glass of water. “It’s hot already. Did you walk all the way from his house?”
“Thank you. Oh, that water is good. Yes, I walked from the house. I didn’t know it got so hot this early.” Christine took another drink and had never tasted anything better. She hadn’t realized how thirsty she was. “Thank you for watching Seth.”
“He is a sweet baby. I am praying that you can change Mr. Everett’s mind. He is a stubborn man. A silly man who doesn’t realize he needs love in his life. I’m afraid he purchased you like he does his prize cows.”
Christine laughed. “You don’t know how true that is. But the Lord has impressed on me to pray for him and show him love. I am not sure that I can do that. Today, I slapped him.”
“Oh, my. I didn’t think he’d be forward with you.”
“He wasn’t. He was showing me a horse that he’d caught. A mare. And the
n went on to tell me how her foals would be worth a lot. The irony of the whole thing caught me off guard, and I was so angry that I slapped him. Hard, too.”
Margaret laughed. “I’m sure he deserved it and was probably clueless as to why you did it.”
“Of that, I am sure.” Christine took another drink. “I cannot give up my child. What am I going to do? I have nothing and nowhere to go. My dead husband’s brother might come looking for us. He’s an evil man. That was the main reason I accepted Everett’s letter to come out here.”
Margaret nodded. “You’re caught between two hard choices. Neither is good.” She twirled a strand of her hair. “Don’t give up on Everett. I know he sounds gruff and hard, but I’ve seen a soft spot in him. Once, my little boy was lost. He dropped everything and had his entire crew look for him. Everett found him at the bottom of a ravine and risked his own life to climb down and rescue him just before a rainstorm sent a torrent of water down the ravine.”
Christine held her son in her lap and let him play with her brooch. “You think there is hope, then?”
“Yes, I do. I’ve known Everett since he moved out here. Believe it or not, he’s softened a lot. He used to be unapproachable. Now, well, he sent for you. He must be ready to open up.”
“I hope so. He makes me so angry.”
Margaret grinned. “Sometimes, love hides behind anger’s bluster. Check your heart. And let the Lord tell you how to reach him. You may be Everett’s last chance. Sometimes the Lord has to do drastic things to get a man’s attention.”
Christine nodded. “I was thinking just that last night. Maybe I need my own heart softened. After losing my husband and having Marvin threaten us, I grew hard too. I left everything to escape him.”
Picking up her needle and thread, Margaret began sewing. “Do you think he will follow you?”
“I really don’t know. Marvin can get the farm, but he’ll have to buy it at an auction. Doug left a will and gave the farm to Seth, but with no way for us to pay taxes, we couldn’t stay. If Marvin married me, he’d have clear title and get the farm much cheaper.”
Margaret frowned. “That could be trouble. Of course, you haven’t told Everett.”
“No, how could I.” She took another drink and offered some to Seth. “He didn’t tell me his condition of no children in the first letters. Not a word until I got the last one when I was on my way to Texas and Marvin was on his way to the farm. Everett must know that no woman would agree to such a horrid condition.”
“Men aren’t known for understanding the ways of a woman. The Lord will help you understand Everett and how to reach him. Until the time is right, Seth is welcome in our home, and you are welcome to visit anytime.”
“Thank you, Margaret. I better get back to make dinner.” Christine kissed her son and handed him to Margaret. “Take care of my baby.”
Margaret nodded. “He will be fine.”
Christine waved to her son and exited the house. She couldn’t continue to do this for long. Leaving Seth was like ripping out her own heart. How long would it be before there was nothing left, and her heart was as stony as Everett’s?
Chapter 6
Everett had the mare curried and clean. The next time he showed her to Christine, she’d see the beauty of the horse. The mare was coming along and would be a gentle horse. Young and smart, she responded to his training.
He didn’t break a horse the old way. An old man had shown him how to gentle the animals without breaking their spirit. More like becoming a partner with them than to conquer their spirit. The black mare still had to learn who was boss, but he’d do it with respect and trust. That’s what bound them together.
He thought of Christine. What had he done wrong with her? She was as cold and angry with him as some of the wild horses he’d seen before he worked with them. He didn’t seem to be making any headway with the women while the mare was coming along nicely.
What was the difference? He was kind to Christine and gave her whatever she wanted. Their one big fight was about children, and he wasn’t budging on that. She had to understand that it was for her own good.
Still, he’d not made one inch of progress with her. He was still sleeping in the barn, and she hadn’t even suggested going to town much less marriage.
The black mare reared back against the rope.
Everett loosened his hold and let her have some room. The mare needed to learn that she could trust him. After a time of feeding her, sooner than later, the horse would love and respect him.
“Maybe you can tell that to Christine.” He talked to the horse. He needed to name her but thought he’d let Christine have the honors. Not that she seemed a bit interested in the horse. He hoped that would change.
He tied the horse to the center pole to let her get used to the idea. The mare didn’t like it, but she needed to learn her place. Everett glanced at the door to the house. Christine needed to learn that too. But so far, he felt as if he was the one left tied, and she expected him to learn to give in to her demands.
With a disgusted scowl, he muttered to no one as he walked to the house. “That’s not how it works out here. It’s time that she finds that out.” He slammed the door open and hollered her name.
Fear struck him as memories of his father hit him. Pa had sounded just like that. Shaken, Everett stopped his march to the bedroom and instead went to the kitchen for a glass of water. His hand shook as he filled it and took a drink. What was wrong with him? He couldn’t hurt her. He couldn’t.
“Did you call me?” Christine came in behind him.
He whirled to face her. Christine, her sweet face like an angel. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to yell.”
She glanced at him with a curious tilt of her head. “Oh, I just heard you call me. Did you want lunch now?”
He shook his head. “Maybe I can’t be a husband. Not fit.”
“What’s wrong?” She stepped closer to him, talking soft and comforting.
“Nothing.”
“You don’t look or sound like nothing is wrong.” She took his hand and led him to the table. “Sit down. I’ll get you some cake. I was saving it for later, but I think now is the right time.”
She came back and slid a piece of cake in front of him. “Try that. I’m sure it will put a smile on your face.”
He took a bite. The delicious cake did put a smile on his face. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d had some. Why was she being so nice to him? “Thank you. That was kind of you.”
Christine took his hand. “What’s bothering you? Is it something I’ve done or said?”
“It’s not you at all. It’s me.” He held a finger and thumb on his temples. Could he be cruel like his father? Maybe it wasn’t having children but bad blood that gave him the mean streak.
“Everett, we need to talk. There are things I need to tell you.”
He stared at her. She was pretty, no beautiful. There wasn’t a flaw in her. He didn’t deserve her and shouldn’t make her stay with him. He had to let her go. Let a good man take her and love her.
“Christine, I think you should leave. Go into town and find a good man.”
She sat back as if he’d slapped her. “I came because you promised to be my husband.”
“I can’t. Didn’t you hear me yell at you? I do not want to be like my father. He was mean and cruel. I don’t want to hurt you.”
Fear shown in her eyes, proving his words.
She shook her head. “I can’t. I can’t go back. There are reasons.” She took his hand in hers. “You won’t hurt me. I’m not afraid of you.”
He yanked his hand away. “I can’t have you here. I’m afraid I’ll hurt you.”
Tears slid down her cheeks. “If you turn me away, I’m afraid I’ll be killed.”
Everett stared at her. “Killed? What are you talking about?”
“My husband’s brother. He’ll come after me. To take me. So, he can have the farm outright.” She started to say more but stopped.
“My husband did, but he died.” She shook her head and began crying.
Everett took her hand. “I won’t let anyone hurt you. I promise.”
She looked at him with such compassion and need. “I can’t go back. He’ll find me.”
“What’s his name?”
“Marvin Simpson, he’s Doug’s brother. My husband’s brother, but he’s an evil man, and I’m afraid of what he’ll do.” She looked at Everett, her green eyes moist with tears.
Something deep inside him cracked, and Everett found himself wanting to comfort and protect her. He went to her and put his arm around her shoulders. “I won’t let anyone hurt you. I promise. You don’t have to leave. Stay here with me.”
She nodded. “What about the marriage you promised me?”
“We can do that.” Everett closed his eyes and hoped he could. What if he was worse than the man coming after her. He’d have to change. Watch himself. He had promised to marry her. His word was good. He just prayed he could be.
Christine sobbed into her hands. “I don’t know what to do.” She repeated it over and over.
Everette poured her a glass of water and handed it to her along with his hanky. “Don’t cry. I’ll take care of you.”
She drank the water and dabbed at her eyes with the handkerchief. “Thank you.”
“Change into your wedding dress. We’ll go into town today. If you want.” Knowing this wasn’t the proper way, he knelt before her and took her hand. “Christine, will you marry me? I promise to protect and take care of you.”
She looked at him. “Will you love me?”
Her eyes were so green and tender. Everett stared at her. He wanted to, but could he? Against his better judgment, he nodded. “I will love you.”
She gave him a slight smile. “I’ll marry you. Let’s go. Before either of us changes our mind.”
Chapter 7
Christine couldn’t believe what she’d just agreed to. Yet, somehow, it felt so right. Her heart was at peace, but her mind remained at war. Still, she went into her room and changed into the off-white dress she’d bought for her wedding day with Everett.
Mail Order Christine Page 3