“I heard the gunshots and figured it was time to get ’em to safety.” Abe eyed the body and grunted. “I feel sorry for Nancy. A sweet little lady like that getting hitched to a thieving snake.”
Voicing his agreement with the others, Edmund mounted Zephyr. “Let’s see if we can round up those steers and take them back to their owners.”
Among the herd, which had slowed down and now wandered aimlessly, they found Lula May’s horse and lifted Lucas’s body onto the saddle. The sheriff headed toward town with the sad load.
Rounding up the cattle took much of the afternoon, which gave Edmund plenty of time to think things through, especially regarding what Abe said about Nancy. Like Lula May, she’d been a mail-order bride and was now a widow. But what a difference their choices of husbands had made in their lives. It didn’t take much to notice how kindly Frank had always treated Lula May. Nor did it take much to notice how indifferent Lucas was toward Nancy even when they were newly married. Any casual observer could see that wasn’t right, but nobody could step in and fix the matter. A man just didn’t barge into another man’s private affairs.
As much as Edmund had always admired Frank, something did bother him about life at the Barlow house: that expensive wedding picture of Frank and Emily had hung in the parlor up until last week. Why hadn’t Frank put it away so Lula May wouldn’t have her predecessor seem to watch her every move? Edmund knew his thoughts were foolishness, but he also knew what it was like to feel second-rate. Did Lula May feel that way?
Old Gad may have been a confirmed bachelor, but he’d taught Edmund that ladies were like good horses. If a man didn’t want to take the time to show them they were appreciated and loved, he’d best just leave ’em alone. All those years they’d been on the trail together, Old Gad had left the ladies alone, and so had Edmund.
Trouble was, Edmund couldn’t leave Lula May alone. Yet when he’d proposed, he’d made it sound like he was doing her a favor, a proposition he wouldn’t appreciate if someone made such an offer to him. Now he knew better. He needed to show her what a remarkable woman she was. Needed to convince her that he wanted to spend his life protecting her and making her happy. Wanted to spend every moment of his day with her, even the times she turned prickly. Maybe that was what went wrong with his proposal. She needed to know she was loved. Well, by the end of this day, she would know, all right. He would forget Sydney Carton’s trip to the guillotine and remember Romeo’s proclamations of undying love to Juliet.
He and the other men managed to get most of the cattle rounded up and driven to their rightful owners. At the first ranch, a half dozen cowhands joined them, so the operation took less time than expected. Everyone understood they might find someone else’s steers among their own, but eventually honest neighbors would get them all back to where they belonged.
In the meantime, Sheriff Fuller had delivered Lucas’s body to Mr. Agen, the undertaker. After that, he said he’d have to tell Nancy her husband was dead. On his way back from town, he met the men on the road.
“From the size of that herd, it’s clear Lucas sold some of what he stole, so I don’t think he was working alone. Somebody had to be feeding and watering them all this time. His partners will be hopping mad to learn we’ve outwitted them. That means we’ll have more trouble.”
“We’ll keep an eye out.” Snowden, still looking haggard, drooped in the saddle as he headed back toward the Bennett spread with the sheriff.
Edmund was glad not to be in his friend’s boots. How rotten to discover the man he’d worked for was the cattle rustler. If Edmund didn’t already have a fine foreman, he might hire Snowden. That was, if Snowden wanted to stick around these parts. If not, Edmund would write him a letter of recommendation to carry wherever he went. It was the least he could do for the man.
Eager to put the matter to rest, Edmund stopped in town for the wagon and team and to pick up Lula May’s gelding at the undertaker’s. With her horse and Zephyr tied to the back of the wagon, he headed back to the High Bar Ranch. His thoughts turned toward the woman he would soon see, and he pondered what he should say to her.
He’d learned a heap of good things from Old Gad, had followed his example in most of them. Maybe it was time to follow the old fella’s example again. Four years ago, Old Gad up and married a widow lady, and they now lived near Denver, surviving on love and a gold mine they’d discovered. If Lula May would have him, Edmund would marry a widow lady, too, a strawberry blonde beauty who already owned his heart.
Since she’d turned him down the first time, Lula May might very well get her feathers ruffled. Didn’t matter. He was determined to propose again, this time expressing his love before he said anything else. That was, if he could just keep from sticking his boot in his mouth. As he drove the wagon toward her house, it seemed like an inordinate amount of dust filled his mouth and throat. How would he ever get the words out?
* * *
Around four o’clock, with the summer sun still high above the horizon, Lula May helped the last child into Pastor Stillwater’s wagon and stood back to wave goodbye. Beside her, her five children noisily called out to their departing friends, promising another exciting day tomorrow. All during this day of riding, fishing, baking and horse training with the Young Ranchers’ Club, Lula May had been preoccupied with thoughts of Edmund and the other men who planned to confront Lucas. From time to time, Calvin or Samuel would give her a reassuring pat on the shoulder even though they didn’t know exactly what the men intended to do. Those loving touches kept Lula May from succumbing to fear or, worse, riding up to the Windy Diamond to see exactly what was going on. To see if she could help Nancy.
While praying for the safety of all involved, especially Edmund and poor Nancy, Lula May had corralled Pauline and the other girls and managed to get supper on the stove. They’d already made and iced a lemon cake, Edmund’s favorite dessert, and now his favorite beef stew simmered in her largest cast-iron Dutch oven on top of the stove, and a pan of biscuits sat on the counter ready to be reheated.
Once the pastor’s wagon rounded the hill just beyond her property, she told her children to finish the few chores left undone by the Young Ranchers and then to clean themselves up. Needing a few moments alone, she made her way to her office and sat staring out the window, praying as she had all day that the man she loved would return safely.
The man she loved? Yes, she did love Edmund, and she knew exactly when she’d fallen for him: when he’d given Jacob a life verse from the Bible. In that moment, not only had he given her shyest son a deep truth to instill lifelong confidence in him, but Edmund had also revealed his own depths, his own spirituality, his own vulnerability in the verse Gad had chosen for his life. Then, in addition to inspiring her to renew her own prayer life, he had stepped in when she was at her wits’ end and helped her get rid of Uncle Floyd.
Dear, dear Edmund. After less than three weeks of spending time with him, she couldn’t imagine living life without him. She wanted to grow old with him, maybe even give him children, if he wanted. Could she do that, knowing he didn’t love her as she loved him? Yes, she did need to be loved for herself, but maybe she could accept another comfortable marriage to a good man who would help her raise her children. She could be grateful for that. It was certainly more than poor Nancy Bennett had. More than most women had, for that matter. In time, maybe Edmund would fall in love with her.
She chuckled to herself. Silly woman that she was, she still hadn’t thanked him for saving her from the flash flood. Well, that would be the first order of business when he came to give her the news of today’s happenings. If he came. If he hadn’t been... No, she would not fear. She might still be searching for her own perfect life verse, but the one that had stood out to her these past days was one Frank had often quoted in his last days, Psalm 56:3, “What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee.” She would choose to trust God, whatever happened.
The familiar rumble of a wagon sounded out in the barnyard. Edmund! She dashed through the parlor to her room and managed a quick repair of her hair. She ran to the kitchen just as Edmund walked slowly through the mudroom, hampered in his movements by her three younger children, who clung to him like little monkeys. From the grin on his face, she could see he didn’t mind. In fact, he seemed to be enjoying it.
He looked at her, and their gazes locked for a small eternity. At last he cleared his throat. “Supper ready?”
With no warning of how high her emotions had risen, Lula May burst into tears and flung herself into his arms. “Oh, Edmund!”
“Mama, what’s the matter?” Pauline cried, with similar cries coming from Jacob and Daniel, dear little ones who knew nothing of the drama about Lucas and the cattle rustling.
“Hush.” Calvin grabbed the boys’ collars, and Samuel gripped Pauline’s arm. “Let’s go outside.” Despite the younger ones’ cries of protest, Lula May’s older sons half carried them out the back door.
Which left Lula May in the embarrassing position of having her arms around the neck of a man who had never even hinted he felt the slightest affection for her. On the other hand, with his arms around her waist rather than pushing her away, maybe he didn’t mind it.
“You’re all right.”
He chuckled in his chest-deep way. “You sound surprised.”
“No. No.” She moved back far enough to see his appealing crooked grin. Releasing him, she cleared her throat and smoothed down her apron. “I figured a man who could pull me out of a flash flood and help me get rid of my evil uncle can safely help the sheriff arrest some cattle rustlers.” Oh, dear, that wasn’t really a thank-you. She started to correct herself, but Edmund’s smiling expression fell into a frown.
She gasped. “What is it?”
He shook his head. “Things have been settled. I’ll explain it in due time, but right now I’d like to talk to you about something else.”
Lula May’s heart jumped to her throat, whether from anxiety or anticipation, she couldn’t tell. She grasped Edmund’s hand and led him to the parlor. “Have a seat.” Would he sit in one of the straight-backed chairs? Or sit in Frank’s, as she hoped?
He sat in Frank’s. She sat on the settee, her knees almost touching his.
“L-Lula May.” He tugged at his collar. “Over the past couple of weeks, I, uh...” Shifting in his chair, he ran a hand down his cheek, where bright blond stubble held bits of dust that now sifted over his shoulder. “That is to say...” He exhaled a long breath. “I’ve grown very fond of...of my visits with your family.”
Her heart wobbled. Did he simply love the cozy family evenings? Her cooking?
“As you know...” He suddenly sounded very formal, very unlike himself. “I never had a family, but now I feel like I’ve found one at last. One I’d like very much to be a part of.”
“I see.” All of Lula May’s sweet sentiments disappeared. It was just as she feared. “And?”
“I’m not saying this right.” He grimaced and gave her that crooked grin again.
“Well, try again.” She would give him another chance, but only one more.
“While it’s true I’ve always been a solitary man, preferring my quiet, er, solitude, and your young’uns sure do make a lot of noise...” He chuckled uncomfortably. “No, that’s still not right.” He stood and walked to the window, posting his fists at his waist.
After a few moments, during which Lula May’s pulse beat twice as fast as the second hand ticking on the mantelpiece clock, Edmund scrubbed both hands through his hair, causing another shower of dust to cascade into the air.
“I’m just not getting this right.” He spun around. “Lula May, I l-love you.” He closed the space between them, gripped her arms and pulled her to her feet. “I love you.” This second affirmation sounded firm and sure. And entirely convincing.
She melted into his arms. “Oh, Edmund, I love you, too.”
“So, will you marry me?”
For only an instant, she thought about making him beg. Yet the boyish eagerness in his voice struck a chord deep within her that thrilled her beyond words.
“Yes, my dear Edmund. I will marry you.”
“I know I need to make some changes. Probably lots of ’em. But if you’ll have me, I’ll do whatever it takes to make you happy.”
“A-hem. I do believe I said yes.”
He blinked, and his expression turned sheepish. “You did, didn’t you?” He lifted her up in his arms and twirled her around the room, coming a bit too close to knocking over her favorite lamp. Somehow, she wouldn’t have minded in the least if he had.
He set her down and held her close, resting his chin on top of her head for several moments. At last, he sighed deeply. “Lucas is dead.”
Lula May slumped against his broad chest. “Poor Nancy.” She choked back tears. “What happened?”
“We found him at that box canyon Hank Snowden told us about. Sure enough, he had the stolen cattle, at least those he hadn’t already sold. Before we could talk, he drew on us.” Edmund gently released her and stared down at his boots. “It was my fault. I was so hopping mad at what he’d done to you that I practically called him out. That’s why he drew. I would be dead if the other men hadn’t shot him first. It threw off his aim.” He glanced down at his sleeve. “That’s where Lucas’s bullet tore through.” He grunted. “Missed my arm by a half inch.”
“Oh, Edmund!” Lula May threw her arms around him again. “I told you to be careful.” She wept against his chest, and he patted her back awkwardly. Poor man. He probably wasn’t used to being around women who were crying. She struggled to regain control of her tears.
Tears. Oh, dear. Poor Nancy must be shedding many of them. Lula May stepped back from Edmund. “I have to go to Nancy.”
“Mmm.” He thought for a moment. “I guess you’d better. I’ll go with you.”
“No. I need for you to stay here with the children. I’ll see if Nancy will let me spend the night with her. She’ll need all the help I can give her.”
His green eyes took on a sad but understanding look as he glanced toward the parlor window. “It’s not getting dark yet, so I’ll let you go. But you be careful. Stick to the main roads.”
In another time, his casual way of giving orders would have annoyed her, but now it warmed her heart. Clearly it was love, not the desire to dominate her that motivated him. She could live with that.
After changing into her riding clothes, Lula May packed up some of her beef stew in a tin pail from Frank’s old trail-drive mess kit. The pail had a tight lid she could secure with twine for the trip to Nancy’s house. She wrapped several biscuits in a tea towel and placed the items in a canvas bag. In the meantime, Edmund saddled Lady. She met him in the barnyard, where the children had gathered with him. “I’ll be back first thing tomorrow.”
“If you’re not, I’ll come after you.”
“Is that a threat or a promise?” She would indulge herself in one bit of teasing with him before embarking on her sad mission.
“Both.” He managed a grin in response.
“You children mind Mr. McKay.” She captured each child’s solemn gaze and gave them all a smile. At their chorused “Yes, ma’am,” she started to mount up.
Edmund stayed her with a touch on her arm. He bent down and kissed her cheek, then whispered in her ear. “That’s a threat and a promise, too. Something to remember me by.”
A pleasant shiver shot down her side, leaving her breathless. “As if I could ever forget you, Edmund McKay.”
Chapter Fifteen
Lula
May arrived at the Windy Diamond Ranch house to find Hank Snowden pacing across the front porch, his boots thumping on the boards and his hat tipped back as cowboys did to cool off on hot days like today. The fading twilight illuminated the worried expression on his well-formed face. He’d been with Edmund, Abe Sawyer and Sheriff Fuller when Lucas was killed. He must feel especially shocked by his late boss’s actions against their community.
“Evening, Mr. Snowden.” She dismounted and took the canvas bag from her saddlebag.
“Mrs. Barlow.” He touched the brim of his hat and brought it down on his forehead.
“How’s Nancy?” Lula May climbed the few steps to the porch.
“I’m, uh, I’m not sure. It’s not fitting for me to go inside, but—”
“That’s why I’m here.” She approached the door. “You go on. I’ll take care of things.”
“Thank you, ma’am.” He hopped off the porch in one step and headed toward the barn, then turned back. “McKay doing all right?”
She smiled, a renewed relief over Edmund’s safety flooding her. “Yes. He’s fine.”
“Will you be here long?”
“I plan to stay the night.”
“Not sure where you’ll bed down.” He pondered the problem for a moment. “I’ll bring a mattress from the barn.”
“I’d be much obliged.” She watched the Bennett foreman stride away before turning to rap lightly on the door. “Nancy?”
The soft shuffle of feet sounded inside. Nancy opened up, her face pale and drawn. “Lula May.” From the surprise in her expression and the way she stepped back, she seemed to have erected an invisible barrier in front of herself. Did she fear Lula May would blame her for Lucas’s actions?
“I’m staying with you tonight.” Lula May moved into the front room and made her way to the kitchen, where she placed the food on the counter. Free of her burden, she returned to the parlor and pulled her friend into her arms, her heart breaking.
A Family for the Rancher Page 21