After pouring himself a cup of coffee, he settled at the table and waited for his breakfast, which was already heated on the stove. She’d scrambled eggs and potatoes with pieces of bacon mixed in. Hash was Hank’s favorite breakfast meal and he ate it almost daily.
“The pump’s acting up again.” She watched Bronson from the kitchen window. Her son’s burnished brown hair shown in the early sun, and she pictured his bright blue eyes taking in the situation before him. He was bent over the water pump with a hammer in his hand. She wondered what he meant to do with it. It was so unlike her youngest son, who normally either fixed things with efficiency or accepted things that could not be changed with quiet resignation. Now he banged on the pipe pushing it deeper into the ground.
Hank came up behind her and placed his large hands on her shoulders. “The boy is wound too tight. He’s going to make it worse. If he breaks it, it will take days to fix. I better stop him.”
His deep chuckle made Elizabeth follow suit. “I’m worried about them. They should have figured things out by now. It’s been almost two weeks.”
“They will in their own time.”
“A nudge wouldn’t hurt.”
“Elizabeth.” He pressed a kiss into her hair and she closed her eyes and covered one of his hands with hers.
“Just a little push in the right direction.”
Her husband, a very smart man, let out a breath. “What do you have in mind?”
Elizabeth shrugged. “It will come to me.” Hank left out the kitchen door and went to her son. Bronson looked up at his father and raked an impatient hand through his hair seeming to explain what he did to his father.
Yes, it was easy to see that more than the water pump bothered Bronson. Olivia, the headstrong woman, and he had yet to talk things out. It was time to get the two on the right track.
Chapter Twenty-Two
The mornings were becoming easier. Olivia washed her face and prepared to go downstairs to help her mother-in-law with what needed to be done. She made the bed and wondered how long it had been since Bronson left. He always got up and left while it was still dark outside.
He’d yet to speak to her about their situation. As a matter of fact, he had become quite adept to avoiding time alone with her and managed to fall asleep promptly upon laying down. Sometimes, in the middle of the night, she’d snuggled against his wide back. The heat of his body seemed to help her nausea.
A light sleeper, if his breathing pattern changed in the least, she’d quickly move away.
As usual, a cup of herbal tea was placed on the bedside table, very thoughtful of her mother-in-law. Lowering to a sturdy chair, she sipped the aromatic liquid in thought.
It was clearly obvious her husband hated the idea of being married to her and she wondered what to do about it. Regardless of how they felt, they were tied together and she did not want their child to be raised by parents who didn’t communicate. With Bronson’s shirts and a pair of pants in hand as well as her soiled clothing in her arms, she left their bedroom.
She entered the kitchen and placed the teacup in the washbasin. Elizabeth Cole stood with their cook, no doubt giving instructions for the meals. Her green eyes flashed with humor when looking to Olivia. “Good morning, Olivia. How are you feeling? I have good news.”
“I’m well.” She sat at the table and ate the bread and tea that was placed before her by the cook, who bustled out of the room with a garden basket.
Her mother-in-law eyed the bundle she’d placed just inside the door. “You won’t have to do laundry anymore. I sent Josiah over to hire Laura Foster. The poor girl needs the money to support her child.”
With a gurgle, her stomach was the first to react to the news.
“You probably don’t know the story. She’s the woman Bronson stumbled upon when going to Fort Laramie to get information for Ashley. She was kind to him and it’s time for us to repay.”
“Yes, I’ve heard her mentioned a time or two.” Olivia tore a piece of bread and brought it to her mouth, but she did not eat. It was the only thing she could stand to eat in the mornings, but this morning even the dry bread made her want to vomit. “I will wash my and Bronson’s clothing. There’s no need for her to do our clothes.” She got to her feet and, as if to prove a point, she picked up the bundle of clothes. “That includes our bedding.”
Her mother-in-law’s bright expression didn’t change. “Of course, dear. Anything pertaining to you and Bronson is independent of this household. For as long as you are here, I want you to feel comfortable in making any decision for the both of you.”
Comfortable? Not with the woman Bronson was attracted to coming here regularly. How could she be comfortable?
“Thank you for the tea.” She went out the side door, to the area where the washboards and large sinks used for laundry were.
Instead of washing the clothes, she paced, keeping an eye on the horizon. What was she going to do now? The entire debacle of her marriage was turning from bad to worse.
Footsteps sounded and she turned to find Bronson hauling two buckets of water. Without a word, he poured one into the sink and placed the second one down on the ground. “Tell me if you need more.”
“I am perfectly capable of hauling laundry water, Bronson.”
Without response, he turned with the empty bucket and disappeared to the side of the building. After a few minutes he returned with more water.
Olivia stewed and grabbed his arm when he went to walk away. “I said I could haul water for washing our clothes. Don’t ignore me.”
When he looked at her, she almost took a step back at the darkness of his eyes. “I can’t do anything right by you, can I?” His nostrils flared and he pointed to the water in the sink. “Water is heavy. I thought it would be nice to carry water for my pregnant wife. But you…” he pointed a straight finger at her, “walk around here wearing your misery like a crown. Too damn bitter to allow anything good a chance.”
“Good?” she screamed. “You mean I should float in a cloud of happiness because the man I’m married to is tied to me by force? I should smile like a fool because you are in love with someone else and are only with me because I am expecting your child.”
Bronson matched her tones yelling back. “I don’t know what the heck you’re talkin’ about. I’m not in love with anyone. I asked you to marry me three times, to let me make things right. Each time you turned me down.”
“Because I knew you only did it out of duty and then when I changed my mind, I learned you wanted that woman, Laura. I heard you and Mitch talking that day. You didn’t deny being infatuated with her.”
“For chrissakes, woman. Haven’t you ever been infatuated? I haven’t given her a thought since being with you. I am not sure what else I can do. Nothing makes you happy. I’ve given you space and waited for you to feel better, but with each passing day you seem to get more and more irate.”
“I’m not irate!” She heard the ludicrous statement, but refused to back down. “You don’t talk to me, you lay down and give me your back, refuse to even say goodnight.”
“I say goodnight.” He blew out a breath and his eyes flicking to her stomach. “I’m done. This can’t be good for the babe.” He yanked his hat off his head and slapped it against his thigh.
Olivia narrowed her eyes. “Maybe it’ll help if I go to town for a few days and spend time with my parents.”
“Maybe.”
“I can stay indefinitely.”
“You’re not raising our child away from me.” He stormed to her and stood nose to nose with her. “Do I make myself clear?”
Her laugh was without humor. “And deny our child the opportunity to live in this loving environment? Now why would I do that?”
Bronson’s face became so rigid, she braced for what he would do next. He turned and kicked the empty bucket so hard it flew into the distance, several pieces in different directions.
Then without looking at her, he stormed off towards the front of the hou
se. Olivia went back through the kitchen, passing whoever stood in the room and went straight upstairs.
She grabbed a carpetbag and shoved clothes into it. Then she went to the wardrobe and studied the clothes hanging on the rod. His and hers next to each other. Others folded neatly next to each other, his sturdier, darker fabrics beside her softer ones. What had he said? He’d not thought about Laura since being with her. Surely he’d just said that to make her feel better. Then again, he was yelling, not giving her feelings any consideration at the time.
With a huff, she grabbed the vase of wilted flowers and went back downstairs. She’d pick more. It would give her time to think, cool down. Knowing her husband was probably in his office looking over the ledgers, she hurried past the doorway and then out to the porch.
In the garden Elizabeth waved her over. With a large hat to keep the sun from her face and neck, she made a lovely picture. “Olivia. All that hollering isn’t good for the baby.” She seemed more amused than angry.
“I’m sorry. I am just so mad. I need fresh air.” She threw the wilted flowers away from them. “I’m going to pick more. Thank you, by the way, for always having fresh flowers in our room. And for the tea in the mornings. It’s very thoughtful of you.”
Her mother-in-law frowned. “I don’t bring tea to you in the mornings. Bronson does. He picks the flowers during his afternoon walks. Says all that staring at the numbers makes his head swim and he needs the break.”
“Oh.” Her mouth fell open and she blinked, not sure if she heard right. “I wasn’t aware.”
“You have been ill.”
An excuse, of course. Her mother-in-law was too polite to point out she’d been unaware of quite a bit.
“I’ll be back in a few minutes.” She hurried away and, only when she was sure no one could see or hear her, she collapsed onto the ground sitting with her back rounded, her hands still holding the vase in her lap. Since coming to her husband’s home, she’d acted like a mean, spoiled ninny.
Instead of asking him questions, she assumed the worst of him and, more than once, not only hurt his feelings, but also had been unappreciative of all he did for her. Too wrapped in self-pity to notice he was trying hard to make her happy.
Poor Bronson. Her poor, dear husband.
Chapter Twenty-Three
The young bull was nimble. It turned from one side to the other and Bronson spurred his horse forward, glad for the challenge. Josiah and Grayson galloped ahead rounding the other part of the herd towards the corral.
A loud whistle sounded and Ashley raced past him, bringing up his portion of the herd. He waved back signaling he was turning back to help.
Although the sun was still high, the day was almost over and he dreaded returning home. Olivia would, no doubt, be packed and ready to return to town. She’d have to wait. He wasn’t about to do her bidding like some lackey. She’d have to wait until he was good and ready to head to town.
His wife was a headstrong woman who did not back down from an argument. A new side of her, he’d not expected.
“You never say goodnight.” What a strange thing to argue about. She was right, of course. She always said goodnight and he never replied. He didn’t want to talk once he lay down next to her. It was best for him to force sleep to take over than to lie awake next to her without touching her.
Almost every night, he felt her snuggle into him for a few hours. Then before he woke, she’d be back on her side of the bed. She probably only came near him because she got cold. It was subconscious, nothing to do with him.
Ashley neared, his perceptive gaze taking him in. “What’s wrong?” Ever since his eldest brother had confessed the atrocities of what happened to him during his days in the cavalry, they’d become closer and Bronson felt he could say anything to Ashley.
“Olivia wants to leave me.”
“Wondered how long before she’d threaten with that.”
“What? Why the hell would you think that?”
“What else can she hold over you, Bronson? She’s got nothing here. She’s embarrassed about the situation. Her family packed her up without giving her a choice. Then she’s moved into a house that isn’t hers. To top it off, she’s sick as a dog. Understand her.”
Bronson inhaled and smiled at his brother. “You know what, Ash? I like you. Thank you.”
“Yup.” Talk time over. Ashley galloped away after stragglers that took advantage of their lack of attention. Bronson followed.
Dinner was a quiet affair. On several occasions, Bronson caught Olivia sliding glances at him, but when he looked in her direction, she looked away.
His parents kept the conversation going, mostly about the changes in the weather and plans for the spring festival. Josiah, the neutral party, ate in silence, his head bent.
“Bronson. Next time you’re in town, get a new bucket to replace the one you kicked.” His mother arched a brow at him and he felt heat surge up to his face. “Yes, ma’am.”
“When will that be?” Olivia asked, her blue eyes meeting his. “I’m going with you.”
“Not any time soon. I have to help with the cattle and plantin’ this week.”
“Josiah can take me, then,” she offered.
“Josiah is busy, too,” he countered not wanting to be the first to break eye contact.
“Fine.” She shrugged and returned to eating.
He watched her for a few beats. “I’ll take you this weekend if you still want to go.”
*****
That night, Bronson and Olivia went through the same routine as always, undressing in silence. He helped her unbutton her dress and gave her his back while she finished undressing and got in bed first.
Regardless of how estranged they’d become, she enjoyed this time of day the most. It was impossible to look away when he undressed after washing up. His beautiful body was a work of art in her opinion. When had his hair gotten so long? It touched his shoulders.
Of course, his mother usually cut it, but she said when it came to her and Bronson, she’d let Olivia make the decisions. She’d not even taken the time to see about cutting his hair.
“Would you like me to cut your hair tomorrow? It’s gotten long.”
He froze and his hand went to his locks as if he’d not noticed. “If you want to. I don’t want to be mistaken for Grayson.” He didn’t look at her. Instead, he went back to folding his clothes.
“I like it longer, like that.” She watched the muscles in his back bunch when he shrugged.
“Then you don’t have to cut it.”
“You’re normally easygoing aren’t you?” Olivia didn’t expect an answer. He came to the bed entirely nude and slid between the blankets.
“Yep.”
“I notice you don’t spend as much time out with the cattle and such compared to your brothers and father.”
“They don’t like to handle the business portion of the ranch. The ledgers, negotiations and such.”
“And you do?”
“I do.” He lay on his back with his hands under his head. Something he’d not done since they’d gotten married, but by the relaxed look of his face, she wondered if this was how he normally slept. How little she knew about him.
“I owe you an apology.” Olivia rose to her elbow and looked down at him. “Heck, I owe you a bunch of apologies. So many I don’t know where to start.”
A ray of moonlight gave her enough light to see his handsome features, the straight line of his nose, the fullness of his lips and long lashes that moved up and down with every eye movement.
He took a deep breath. “I was wrong today. I shouldn’t have hollered at you.”
“I’m glad you did. I needed to be screamed at. Shaken out of my stupor.”
“I don’t plan to do it again.” His eyes flickered to her. “I don’t want you to leave me.”
“Then I won’t.”
He slid a look to her, but remained quiet.
“Bronson?”
“Yes?”
“Do you remember that day you’d fallen off your horse and came to town looking to get stitched?”
“Yep.”
“I was standing with Matt. There was that commotion going on at the hotel.”
“I remember.”
“Anyway. Despite the pain you were in, you dismounted and walked toward us. Even dirty from your travel, you managed to saunter across the distance with long, strong strides.”
“Saunter?”
“Yes. That moment things changed for me.” His brow drew together, but he remained silent. Olivia smiled. “You see. I’ve always prided myself in being calm and collected under pressure. I am a person who thinks things through once, then again before making a decision. Well, in that moment, when you walked across the space towards me, everything changed and I did not like it.”
“What do you mean?”
She licked her lips and his gaze followed the action. “Although I’d known you, seen you around town all my life, I’d never thought of you as more than an acquaintance. But that day, when you looked at me needing my help, I fell in love with you.”
His eyes widened and he turned to his side facing her. “You did?”
Olivia nodded. “That’s why it was hard to be trapped in the cabin with you and keep from allowing my emotions free rein. That’s why I was so hurt and angry when I thought you would only marry me out of duty. I wanted you to care for me. Which I realize is immature. Then, when I thought you in love with someone else, I couldn’t get past the hurt to see straight.”
“You’re in love with me?” His tempting lips curved. “I didn’t know.”
What more could she say. Olivia lay back onto the pillow. “I know.”
“Can I kiss you?” Bronson hovered over her. his hair falling forward and forming a silken curtain.
“I want more than a kiss.” Olivia pulled him to her and was amazed how familiar and wonderful his weight felt.
Every Blue Moon Page 11