The Bartered Bride (The Brides Book 3)

by Lena Goldfinch

  She wouldn’t have to impact his life much at all.

  In fact, maybe in some ways it was a blessing. With Annie helping out with Mae, that was one less worry. A woman, by nature, was going to be more affectionate with Mae, give her what she needed. So he wouldn’t have to feel so guilty all the time.

  “Jem, is that you?” A man called out, striding toward them. His head was cocked to one side, eyes squinted against the sun.

  “Ray,” Jem said, giving the older man a tired smile. Ray had been his wife’s family housekeeper since she was a little girl. He deserved a better welcome than that, but Jem just couldn’t seem to rustle one up at the moment. It had been a long journey.

  “It is you.” Ray stopped and wiped a hand down his lean bristly cheeks. He’d gone gray around the edges since the last time Jem had seen him, back a couple of years—when he and Lorelei had come for a Christmas visit. Mae was just turned one...

  That made Ray, what, fifty or so? He was as whipcord thin as always, lean to the point of hungry. Jem knew from experience that it wasn’t from the lack of food. Ray cooked all the meals up at the ranch house and on the range too—and he wasn’t shy of sampling his fare. Made the best steak. Jem’s mouth watered just thinking about it. When was the last time they’d had a good, full meal? It had been a while. Anything edible, anyway.

  “Almost didn’t recognize you behind all that.” Ray gestured to his own face, circling the lower half.

  “Well, it’s me.” Jem grimaced, aware of Annie watching them with curious eyes.

  “I can see that now. Got a bit taller too, if I’m seeing right.”

  “I doubt that. I think I stopped growing at about eighteen.”

  “Sometimes it sneaks up on you in your twenties, a hair here and a hair there, and pretty soon you’re an inch or two taller.” Ray suddenly squatted down face to face with Mae. “And look at little Mae. Land, but you look like your mother when she was your age.” He smiled and reached out for her, but Mae shrank away and plastered herself to Jem’s trouser leg. She gripped the fabric like a life rope and tugged to come up.

  Ray straightened and retreated a step, his expression inscrutable.

  Jem obligingly scooped her up. “She’s a bit shy around strangers right now, especially when she’s tired.” He didn’t want Ray feeling bad, so he added, “Mae, this here’s your Uncle Ray.”

  “We—lll.” Ray glowed with a bit of appreciation at that. “Not your real uncle, but your mama used to call me that.” His eyes looked suspiciously shiny to Jem, as if he were suppressing strong emotions.

  It was then Jem realized that Ray had lost Lorelei too. It hadn’t been just him hurting all this time. He cleared his throat, which had gone thick. “Where’s Ben?” he asked.

  Ray stroked his chin. “That boy... He stayed back, Jem. I’ve got to warn you, he’s got some hard feelings toward you.”

  “Toward me?” Jem asked, surprised. From the first day Jem had arrived at the Castle family’s horse ranch, Lorelei’s younger brother had followed him around. Ben Castle had practically idolized him. That had been back in Jem’s college days, when he was studying veterinary science in Iowa and working summers at Castle Ranch. Jem had been twenty-three and Ben a boy of twelve, an impressionable age.

  Ray shrugged. “What can I say?”

  Ray’s eyes locked on Annie then, as if seeing her for the first time. She was hovering a step or two behind Jem, off to his right. Jem glanced back too. Her dress looked a wreck, her face was streaked with dirt, and she had her braid pulled forward, nearly blocking half her face. He wondered what Ray saw when he looked at her—a street urchin maybe, all grown up? She was obviously with Jem and Mae, due to the fact that she was standing so close, pointed in their direction. The puppy was preoccupied, stretched out to the end of its leash, sniffing at something interesting on the planks of the platform. Looked like somebody dropped some food.

  “And who’s this?” Ray asked, jerking his head toward Annie, clearly mystified. He tugged off his hat in deference to her being a lady, despite her appearance. His brown hair lay plastered against his head. He had a few salt-and-pepper wires of gray up top and on the sides.

  “Ray, this is Annie. Annie this is Ray.” Jem stopped cold, wondering what to say next. He swallowed uneasily. It wasn’t the most easily explained thing.

  “Pleasure to meet you, ma’am.”

  Annie dipped her head and made a small choked-off sound. She tugged her braid forward.

  Ray looked to Jem and raised a brow.

  Jem shifted his weight from one foot to the other, uncomfortable with the situation. What to say? “Annie’s going to be looking out for Mae and such.”

  “Is that right?” Ray asked, no doubt noticing how Annie jerked her head up and looked right at Jem, her eyes questioning.

  “She’s not much for talking,” Jem added softly.

  Ray waited expectantly.

  “It’s a long story,” Jem said, unwilling to talk about it now on the platform. He wanted to see to his horses. Make sure the luggage was loaded on the wagon. Get to the ranch. Take a bath. Make sure everyone got fed. Hit a mattress face first and not wake up for days.

  “I’m sure it is. I’m sure it is,” Ray said, his eyes flicking from Jem to Annie and back again.

  “It’s not like that, Ray,” Jem warned softly, hoping his voice wouldn’t carry back to Annie’s ears. “Not like that at all.”

  “I’m sure it’s not. I’d expect much better of you.” Ray gave him a measured look, a look that said, And if you’re getting yourself into trouble, then I’m going to straighten you out quick. He gestured to the road. “Brought the oxen. Wagon’s over there. I’ll help you get your trunks loaded up. It’ll be tight with the lady. Wasn’t expecting a fourth...”

  “I’ll ride,” Jem offered quickly, relieved at the thought. He wouldn’t mind riding. Wouldn’t mind putting off Ray’s questions. He hefted Mae up a bit in his arms and looked at her. “Mae, you can ride up with me or take the wagon with Annie.”

  “Down.” Mae gave him a sharp tug on his beard, in a very Mae-like show of displeasure, though for what Jem wasn’t sure. She was the one who’d asked to be picked up after all. And now she was squirming to get down. As soon as he set her on the platform, she went to stand with Annie, slipping her hand into the woman’s. Okay, then. She’d made her choice. It was confusing—her taking to Annie so quick—but he supposed it was a good thing. Best to start off how they meant to go forward. Still, he had to swallow a slice of disappointment at how swiftly his daughter had transferred her affections to Annie.

  He should be happy, he told himself. Now he could ride out behind the wagon and keep an eye on his horses. Have some alone time. Settle his thoughts.

  “How many horses did you bring?” Ray asked.

  “Just mine and Mae’s—or what will be Mae’s when she gets old enough—a sweet mare that Lorelei liked to ride.” He avoided Ray’s all-too-observant gaze. “And then a handful of stock horses, the best of the best. The rest I sold off. Gave a couple to Isaac and Becky for their boys.”

  “Good, good,” Ray said, already moving off toward the luggage car.

  Jem followed, with Annie and her little band trailing along with her, the puppy dragging what looked to be a chicken bone out of its mouth.

  “And how are your friends?” Ray asked.

  “Doing fine. The twins are going on thirteen,” Jem said, eager to move things along—get packed up, get on the road. “And their little girl’s nine now. Keeps her momma busy.”

  “And the grandpa?”

  “Pop? I mean, Sam?” Jem rubbed his hand over his bristly jaw, remembering how Pop had ribbed him endlessly about his beard, complaining that it hid his “whole entire face.”

  “Same as always,” Jem continued, smiling ruefully. “Never slows down, no matter how old he gets. They’ve got quite a place there. Business is going well, the family’s growing... They’re happy.”

  Happy enough that Jem had
been able to squash his guilt at taking Mae away from Becky and Rachel, their youngest, a bright girl with her mother’s looks. At nine, Rachel was already quite the horsewoman—not unlike her mother. She had a lively mountain pony that she rode bareback as if she’d been born to it. Both she and her mother had cried something awful when they’d hugged Mae goodbye, Becky especially. The memory of his friend’s tears brought a fresh surge of guilt. Jem told himself that Becky had Isaac and her children to comfort her. In time, she’d miss Mae less, and Jem could send a letter now and then. It wasn’t like they were disappearing forever.

  Even as he thought it, Jem realized there’d be no letters. He knew enough about himself to admit he was terrible at writing and keeping in touch. He’d never been good at it—writing had been Lorelei’s passion. He could make promises to himself as much as he liked, but actually following through was going to be a much more difficult thing. Especially since—even now—he felt the most pressing need to fall into an existence that was centered on work and horses.

  Jem saw a rancher in a long duster up ahead near the horse car, where they’d already begun to unload the horses. He’d hoped they’d seen the last of the man, but here he was getting off at the same stop and looking like he meant to stay. Jem went cold at the sight of him.

  “Do you know that man?” he asked Ray.

  Ray squinted across the distance and his brow cleared. “That’s Creed. Major Elias Creed,” he elaborated, “though most folks just call him Creed.”

  “Know much about him?” Jem asked carefully.

  “Sure do. He owns a big spread west of Castle Ranch, and another up in Golden. A self-made success, that one. Made himself out of nothing. Travels quite a bit these days. Supplies horses to the Army and to ranches all the way south to Texas and north to the Washington Territory.”

  “Married?” Jem asked, glancing at Annie. Her eyes were fixed on the man who’d “bought” her from the preacher.

  “Well, sure he’s married,” Ray said, as if that was the most natural expected thing. “Got three grown boys from his first marriage, and one ‘almost grown’ with the new missus. Everyone calls her Miz Carina. He married up with her down in Texas or maybe across the border. She’s a real beauty, I tell you. Got that real black hair. Ben says she’s got Spanish blood. Comes from old money. Far too refined for ranch life, if you ask me.”

  “So he’s married. He’s got a wife and four boys?”

  “That’s right. Why you so interested in him?”

  “Just noticed him earlier on the train.”

  “I could introduce you,” Ray offered.

  “No need,” Jem said quickly, then seeing Ray’s quizzical expression, added, “I’d prefer we get on our way as soon as possible. We’re tired, and you know how dusty you can get on a train. I’d rather not meet the man covered in all my travel filth.” He gestured down at his clothes.

  “I see,” Ray said agreeably, glancing with a brief look of understanding at Annie in her ruined dress. Just as quickly he looked away again and made no comment. “He’s not a bad sort. Perhaps a bit ruthless on the business side, but fair. And...perhaps a trifle hard on his youngest, if I had to pick a flaw.”

  “Oh, really?” Jem asked. For some reason all his senses went on alert. “Why do you say that?”

  “I don’t know. Seems the boy can’t do nothin’ right. I mean, Creed sees it that way. Just don’t sit right with me. Gabe’s just turned fifteen, loves those horses something fierce—a point in his favor—and, well, he’s got a good spirit about him. Works harder and smarter than most that age. But, who am I to say different? It’s not like I ever had any children of my own to raise.”

  “Yet.” Jem teased, though his heart was only half in it. Although, he’d like nothing better than to see his old friend Ray married off and having a family of his own, Ray was the kind of man who kept to himself, liked things the way he liked them. And he wasn’t likely to change now, even for the love of a woman. He also suspected Ben needed Ray in his life now that his folks had passed.

  But those were secondary issues, for Jem’s main concern at the moment was the rancher across the way, Major Elias Creed. He wanted nothing to do with the man—ever—and he wanted to get Annie safely out of sight before he noticed her.

  And then it was too late. Major Creed turned and looked up and down the boardwalk, as if looking for someone. Before Jem could stop Ray, he raised a hand in greeting. Major Creed narrowed his eyes, taking in Jem’s frame with a lift of his head. He’d recognized him and Annie, and the dog. His eyes also took in little Mae.

  Ice filled Jem’s chest. He quickly stepped forward to block the man’s view, not that he was afraid for himself. It just made him sick to think of that man looking at Annie, let alone his own little Mae. It made him even sicker to know the man lived right here in Colorado Springs. He knew a dangerous man when he saw one, and Major Elias Creed was a dangerous man—a man possibly bent on revenge.

  “I’ll see to the horses,” Jem said. “While I’m doing that, how about you get Annie and Mae settled in the wagon?” he asked Ray.

  “I can do that,” Ray said, offering his hand to Mae. When she scooted behind Annie and grabbed a handful of skirt to hold on, he puffed out his cheeks, perhaps gathering his patience, and then blew out breath. With a shrug and a grimace that communicated that he’d at least tried, Ray offered his arm to Annie. She cautiously took Ray’s sleeve in one hand, still holding onto the leash in the other. The puppy lunged ahead as they began to walk toward the wagon, first weaving to one side and then the other, and generally getting underfoot.

  “You didn’t tell me you had a dog,” Ray grumbled, looking over his shoulder at Jem.

  “Just got it. Why, don’t you like dogs?” Jem asked.

  “Oh, I like them just fine.” Ray stopped short to avoid stepping on the pup. “So long as they stay out of my way.”

  “We’ll get her trained,” Jem promised. He didn’t miss how Annie pulled the pup in closer to her side and smiled apologetically at Ray. He watched after them as they moved away, then rolled his shoulders back and made his way to the horse car.

  Major Creed muscled forward through the few men waiting there and approached Jem. “I see you’re getting off here in Colorado Springs.”

  Jem leveled a stare on the rancher. He widened his shoulders for good measure and raised himself to his full height. “You will not ever talk to me or my wife again, understand?”

  Creed tightened one hand into a fist. He stared back just as intently, not looking cowed at all. If anything, he looked even more focused and determined, which was exactly what Jem didn’t want the man to feel. He wanted him disinterested. He wanted him gone for good.

  “Are you threatening me?” Creed asked in a quiet voice.

  “If I need to,” Jem said. He paused for one significant beat, then pushed past the man.

  Creed caught his arm and stopped him. “I don’t like threats. And I don’t appreciate your interference.

  “Perhaps your wife, ‘Miz Carina,’ would appreciate the news that you tried to marry up with another woman?” Jem bit off, snatching his arm out of the man’s grip and brushing down the sleeve of his leather jacket. There was something about this man that made him feel dirty just talking to him. He was evil, a man bent on no good. Whatever he had planned for Annie it hadn’t been good, that was for sure. He couldn’t have been planning to bring her back to his ranch and set her up as his second wife, so what had he been planning? The possibilities that sprang to mind made Jem sick with anger and disgust.

  “I just want to know one thing,” Jem said. “What were you going to do with her? With Annie.”

  A muscle flexed in Creed’s jaw. He obviously wasn’t a man who cared to be questioned.

  “You’re married. Ray told me so. So what were you planning to do with her? Bring her home to your wife? I can’t see it.” Jem stopped for a moment to gather himself. What experience did he have with women? Besides Lorelei and Becky Jessup,
not much. His own ma had left when he was young. She’d escaped Pa’s anger and his whiskey—and left Jem there. Maybe she loved Jem at one time, as his mother, but she hadn’t loved him then—not in that moment—to leave him behind. Maybe a woman could do a lot of things, Jem decided, things he didn’t understand. Maybe Creed’s wife was a woman like that. “Is she that kind of woman?” he asked, truly puzzled. “Would she not mind?”

  “You’ve said enough,” Creed bit off, barely holding himself in check. “You will not talk about my wife—”

  “Seems to me you brought her into this by marrying another woman,” Jem said in his most reasonable tone. Seemed obvious.

  “Leave my wife out of this.” Creed flexed his hand. A muscle jumped in his jaw. “What did you say your name was?”

  “I didn’t.”

  “Saw you with Ray. That means you must be Jem Wheeler, Lorelei’s husband. Ah, I see I’m right. Heard she passed on. I’d offer my condolences, but...” The man’s lips curled ever so slightly.

  He’s baiting me.

  “Just stay away from us,” Jem said.

  “Not likely.” Creed straightened and planted his hands on his hips, spreading his duster to the sides as he did so, revealing a pistol strapped to his right thigh. “I do business with Ray and young Ben, or hadn’t they told you? Be seeing you around.” It sounded to Jem like a veiled threat. With that, Creed stalked off to join three young men who were helping lead some horses down the ramp out of the horse car. Three of his sons, Jem imagined.

  Jem closed his eyes briefly, then pressed forward to collect his own horses. He wasn’t about to let Creed—or anyone—intimidate him. He’d had enough of that in his youth to last him his whole life.

  SIX