His concern for her and his mother had been real, which was just like Reuben. He cared deeply for those close to him. So different from what she’d expected of the bear-man who’d first walked into the cabin almost two months ago.
So different from any man she’d ever known. His strength, his gentleness, the thoughtful way he examined a question from all angles. Even his artistic side, with the beadwork and the furs.
She’d never met a man she could respect so completely.
It was obvious when he’d first arrived that he struggled with his mother’s condition. But with the shock of finding his father deceased and his mother almost a different person—his struggles proved he was human. Over these last few weeks, he’d made efforts to help far beyond what she’d expected. He was truly a good man.
A man she could love. And maybe she already did.
So why was he distancing himself from her? Did he really feel nothing? Or maybe he couldn’t reconcile himself to a woman not from these mountains. He’d been raised here. Was used to living off the land, in harmony with nature, the way God intended. And she was sadly lacking in those abilities. No wonder he thought she wasn’t suitable.
Beside her, North’s ears perked, and he rose to his haunches with a guttural growl.
“What is it, boy?” She strained to hear outside as she transferred the shirtwaist to the bucket of clean rinse water, then dried her hands on her apron. She could hear nothing through the cabin walls, but North growled again and padded to the door.
Something was definitely not right.
Her gaze found the rifle mounted beside the door. Would she have to use it? Reuben had said this one was harder to shoot than the gun he’d taught her with. Would this rifle load and fire the same or was it completely different? Could she even remember the steps he’d showed her?
Striding past the gun, she peered through the cabin’s small window. The leafless branches at the edge of the clearing swayed, and a rider emerged through them. Her shoulders eased.
Bryan. What was he doing here? Alex had just left a couple weeks ago. Surely her oldest brother hadn’t come to try to talk her into leaving too.
A smile found her mouth as she sprinted toward the door. Her brothers. Always over-protective.
North growled again as she pressed the latch and pulled it wide, the animal trying to nose out in front of her. “Stay, North.” She spoke the command as sternly as she could, pointing a finger at his black nose.
He whined but dropped to his haunches in the opening.
“Good, boy.” Reuben had done a remarkable job training this animal.
She left the door open so she could hear if Mrs. Scott awoke, then gathered her skirts and ran down the steps. Reuben had cleared the snow from the stairs, so they weren’t slick, but when she reached the ground, the icy white thickness slowed her quickly. She had to lunge through it with each step. North let out an excited bark from the porch but stayed where she’d left him.
A dozen yards out, she slowed to a walk, shading a hand to watch her brother’s approach. He didn’t push his horse, just kept the animal in a slow, steady walk. It was Bryan, though. No doubt about the set of his shoulders and the hat she’d seen him wear a hundred times.
So why wasn’t he eager to see her? Maybe his horse was too exhausted from the climb. She picked up her pace again.
“Bryan. What are you doing up here?”
He was within ten feet now and reined in his gelding, then slid to the ground. A slower movement than normal, maybe because his muscles ached from riding in the cold.
When he turned to her, he opened his arms, and she flew into them. No matter his reason for coming, it was so good to see her oldest brother. Moisture stung her eyes as she soaked in his solid strength. Bryan had always been the quiet, steady one in the family. The pillar that supported them all.
She clung to him now, and he returned the embrace. Maybe a little tighter than she would have expected. Was something wrong?
Leaning back, she peered into his face. Sorrow lined his eyes in creases. “What is, Bryan? What’s wrong?”
He only met her gaze for a moment, and red rimmed his brown eyes as he looked away. “It’s Dad, Cathy. He’s gone.”
Chapter Twenty
CATHLEEN’S EYES FOLLOWED the Adam’s apple at her brother’s throat as it bobbed. Down, then up. What was Bryan saying? Their dad? Gone where?
“What?”
As the word left her tongue, Bryan turned those glassy eyes on her, and his full meaning came rushing in. Dad was dead? No… It wasn’t possible.
Her vision blurred, and she vaguely felt Bryan’s arms wrap around her. How could Dad be dead? He’d been in full health when she’d left Boston. Just months ago.
A quiver shook her shoulders, but she breathed out a long breath. Her vision gradually came back to her, and she pushed away from Bryan to look at him.
“What happened? How?” Her throat had grown impossibly tight, her eyes gritty.
The bump at Bryan’s throat bobbed again. “Some form of dropsy, they think, probably in his heart.”
His heart. An image formed in her mind, one she’d seen a couple times in the final days before she left Boston. Dad, perched on the stool at the apothecary shop counter, peering intently at his ledger. His right hand rubbed his left shoulder. She’d thought it was just sore muscles from too much focused work. Had it been the first symptoms of a heart condition?
Her body went even more numb, and her upper lip tingled. Bryan pulled her back against his chest, and she didn’t try to stop him. Probably couldn’t have stood much longer under her own strength anyway.
Male voices sounded around her. Bryan’s rumbled deep under her ear. Then Reuben’s, the sound of it infusing a tiny bit of strength. She pushed away from her brother again, sniffing, even though tears had yet to come.
There was so much to ask. So much she needed to know. “Mum? How is she?”
He released a long sigh, slipping an arm around her shoulders, and moving them both forward toward the cabin. “I don’t know. Her telegram seemed like she was holding her own. Said friends have been nearby to help her.”
Probably Mrs. Branson. And the Stamey family. Dad and Mum had always been mainstays in their little community there on Chesapeake Street. And Mum was always taking care of other people. Of course the group would flock to help her during a need.
They reached the porch, and Bryan’s arm loosened around her as they ascended the steps. Reuben walked on her other side, his strong presence telegraphing a bit of comfort. His worried gaze found hers, and she tried her best to pull together a reassuring smile. But what she managed probably wasn’t close.
She sniffed again and swallowed to clear her clogged voice. “Reuben, have you met my oldest brother Bryan?”
Reuben offered a deferential nod. She couldn’t see Bryan’s face, but his grip at her shoulders tightened.
She pulled away, forcing some strength into her backbone. That initial shock had struck hard, but she had to pull herself together. “Come inside for coffee, Bryan. I’m sure you’re hungry.” Her voice didn’t sound like her own, but at least it had come out clearly this time. She pushed through the open doorway, running a hand across North’s head as she passed him.
She had to keep busy. For a few moments, at least. Until the burn in her chest subsided enough that she could speak without breaking down.
The coffee she’d made at lunch was still warm, but she moved the pot to the hottest part of the stove anyway. She stuffed a skillet of biscuits in the warming oven, then set out plates, butter, and blackberry jam. Then mugs for the coffee, serviettes, and forks.
She pulled out the biscuits, and her hand shook a bit as she set the pan on a leather pad on the table. She steeled her grip on the coffee pot while she filled the three mugs with the dark brew. Good thing she’d stuck in a cinnamon stick earlier to simmer with the grounds. When she turned back to set the pot on the stove, she almost lost her grip on the handle. It clange
d onto the stovetop, the vibration echoing through the room.
“Cathy.”
She didn’t turn at Bryan’s voice, only inhaled a long steadying breath as she faced the stove.
“Who’s there?” Mrs. Scott’s quivering voice drifted through her closed bed chamber door.
Cathleen whirled and headed for the larger of the two back rooms, dodging glances from the two men on her way. “I need to help Mrs. Scott up.” At least this would give her something to do.
The older woman was sitting on the bed when Cathleen entered the dim room. Her hair was sleep-rumpled, but her dear face lit when she saw Cathleen.
Cathleen pressed a hand to the blanket to check for dampness, but for once it was dry. She sank onto the mattress next to the older woman and pulled her sweet wrinkled hand into her lap. “Did you get a good rest?”
Mrs. Scott covered Cathleen’s hand with her free one and smiled softly. “You’re a good girl. Always trying to help.”
The words started a burn in the back of her throat, which crept up into her eyes. Moisture filled them, but she was able to hold back the flow. “Thank you.” Her voice came out in a hoarse whisper.
Lord, I need Your strength. She inhaled a deep breath. While they sat in silence, a bit of calm seeped over her. As terrible as the news was, God had control of the situation. Dad was in a better place now.
She finally rose and refastened Mrs. Scott’s hair, then straightened the bed covers. Finally, there was nothing left to do but go out and face the others. Yet, now she felt strangely…fortified.
Both men watched as she led Mrs. Scott from the chamber, but she ignored their scrutiny. After she had the woman settled in her chair at the table with a mug of coffee and a biscuit before her, Cathleen took her own seat.
She raised her gaze to her brother, making sure it was as solid as she could make it. “So…did Mum say what she plans to do next?”
His jaw tightened. “Alex is going back to Boston to sell the store, then bring her here to Butte.”
She nodded. “Mum always has wanted to come here. She said she wants to know what was so wonderful about this place that it stole her children away.”
Bryan’s mouth pinched. “I came up to get you, so you can travel with Alex. I’m sure Mum will need you.”
The words struck hard. In the back of her mind, she’d been wondering if she should leave this place and go to her mother. But hearing the thought spoken out loud…she wasn’t ready for it.
She opened her mouth to answer. Then closed it. Of course she should agree. Mum might need her.
But Mrs. Scott needed her too. It was too much for one person to try to keep up with the homestead and the animals and still watch over Mrs. Scott the way her condition required. The burn she’d obtained the other day was the perfect example. As competent as Reuben was, it would require divine ability to be in two places at once in order to accomplish the task.
A glance at Bryan showed he waited for her response.
She opened her mouth again. “I…I need to think about it, Bryan.”
His brows lowered, twin creases forming on his forehead. “What’s there to think about? Mum needs you, Cathy.”
Emotion welled in her chest, threatening to spill over from her eyes. She pushed against the table to stand and whirled to face the cook stove. “Please. Just give me a bit.” She had to get control of herself. Needed to sort through her emotions.
She bent to stuff another log into the fire box, then poured clean water into the large pot. After a long moment, shuffling sounded from behind her.
“Guess I’ll go put up my horse.” Bryan’s voice. He sounded begrudging, but at least he was giving her a few minutes alone. She almost wilted from relief.
“I’ll help you get him settled.” Reuben’s tone was quiet, reserved. She hadn’t meant he needed to leave, too. But maybe it would be best for her to clear her mind if they were both gone.
~ ~ ~
THE TENSION IN the air was thick as Reuben strode beside Cathleen’s eldest brother, who led his gelding to the barn. Should he say something to break the silence? He could at least offer his condolences. “I’m sorry about your Pa.”
No immediate answer, so he kept going. “I know it’s not easy to lose your father. Especially so suddenly.”
Bryan shot him a look. Not angry. But aware. “I guess you do. And you’re right, it’s hard.”
The other man didn’t speak again, but the tension between them had loosened a bit.
In the barn, Reuben reached for the reins. “I’ll get him settled and fed. There’s a new colt you might like to see in that stall that opens to the corral outside.”
Bryan nodded, then handed over the reins without speaking. It was refreshing to find someone who didn’t feel a need to cram words into silence when none were needed.
The gelding settled into the stall with a sigh and immediately started into the hay Reuben had piled in the corner after he’d last cleaned the pen. It was always handy to keep an empty stall cleaned and stocked.
After he’d stripped the saddle and bridle from the horse, he found Bryan standing at the pen where Tashunka and her colt stayed during the day. He leaned against the rail, staring inside as the colt nursed from his mother.
Reuben propped his own arms on the rail and settled in beside the man. It seemed like something specific was bothering Bryan. Maybe he’d open up with a bit of time.
It only took a couple minutes before Bryan’s first words came. “I don’t understand why my sister would even consider staying here instead of going to help our mother in her grief.”
Nothing like getting to the point. Reuben took some time to think through his response. The problem was, he didn’t have a good answer. Straightforward would have to do.
“I have yet to figure out what Cathleen’s thinking. I do know she has a special way of caring for people. It’s different from anything I’ve ever seen. Like an angel of mercy. I don’t know what Mum would have done without her these last few months.”
He could feel Bryan turn a solid gaze on him, and Reuben met it.
“But that’s your mother. Why won’t she do the same for her own? What’s holding her here?”
And that was the question, wasn’t it? One he’d contemplated—and forced himself to stop contemplating. He had no idea why Cathleen would want to stay here. Except that she must think him not competent to care for his mother alone. Was that the reason? The thought struck him like a blow. Did she think him incapable?
He raised his brows, still meeting Bryan’s gaze. “That’s a question only she can answer.”
Bryan turned back to the horses and didn’t speak again. But the man’s words replayed in Reuben’s mind. That’s your mother.
He was right. And no matter how much Reuben wanted to keep her here, he had a duty to his mother, and Cathleen had the same to her own family. It was time he step in and relieve her of any misguided priorities.
Chapter Twenty-One
REUBEN TOOK A bite of potato, then glanced at his mum, then Bryan. Both ate in silence, heads ducked over their food. Cathleen’s empty chair sat like an omen, feeding the tension hovering over the room.
Occasional sounds of shuffling drifted from her bed chamber. What was she doing in there that she couldn’t share the meal with them? Packing? She’d not said more than five words since he and Bryan came in from the barn. As soon as she had the food on the table and Mum settled in her chair, she’d motioned for them to go ahead, then disappeared into the back room.
He understood the need to be alone to sort through her thoughts and emotions, but this silence and withdrawal wasn’t like Cathleen. It just didn’t fit with her nature.
Her door opened, and she strode across the room toward the front door. “I’m going for a walk.” Without glancing their way, she grabbed her coat from the peg and slipped out the door.
Enough. He couldn’t sit there and leave her to grieve on her own. Besides, he needed to talk to her about leaving. He
r family needed her, and he suspected she needed them just as much.
He scooted his chair back and rose. “I’m going to talk to her.”
Bryan didn’t object, not that Reuben waited around for his approval. He grabbed his fur and headed outside.
Cathleen had made it halfway across the yard, but her skirts in the snow slowed her down, and he caught up with her before she reached the barn. She didn’t stop to greet him, but allowed him to fall into step beside her as she kept walking past the building and stopped at the corral fence on the far side.
He’d often wondered where she went on her evening walks, and the familiar way she settled into position against this post answered the question for him.
He propped an arm on the fence nearby but held his tongue. He could almost feel her mind churning beside him. She’d talk when she was ready. And if he knew Cathleen, it wouldn’t be long.
At last, she spoke softly. “I think I should stay here, Reuben.”
That was the very last thing he’d expected. Not I can’t believe my father’s dead. Or I have to leave. How could she even consider staying?
He had to understand what she was thinking. “Why?”
She turned to him then, those brown eyes glimmering in the moonlight. “I want to be with my mother, I do. But I don’t have a peace about leaving. It feels like my place is here. If Alex brings Mum to Butte, I can visit her there. Maybe your mum would be willing to go to town with me for a week or so.”
The knot in his gut wound tighter. Her place was with her own grieving mother. Not guilted into staying on this remote mountain with a confused old lady and her incompetent son. No matter how much he loved her.
He turned back to face the corral, because he wouldn’t be able to speak the words if he looked at her. “Cathy, I think you should go. Your family needs you.” He barely got them out without his voice cracking, and he had to clamp his jaw before he ended with But I need you, too.
He had to do what was best for her.
The Lady and the Mountain Call (Mountain Dreams Series Book 5) Page 16