by Lynn Donovan
"Because, sweetheart. Those Rocking P branded fiddles fetch a pretty coin in New York City. We got us a new boss man who will pay us for every one of them Rocking P branded fiddles, or vi-oh-lahs, or... chellos. He's gonna pay us generously, to boot." A greedy grin stretched across his mouth, exposing brown-stained teeth. "We got better sense than to turn down an opportunity to make money like this. This racketeering is a whole lot easier than running cattle for ol' man Redburn."
He paced back and forth with one eye cautiously watching Dumpling. "You're Mr. Joseph Penella missed his opportunity a while back to get his cut in the profits by refusing to sell to Mr. Dolan. You don't refuse a Whyo from New York. They got ways of getting what they want even if you's thinking you know better." He chuckled.
Something evil radiated from his laughing face. A horrible stench, like rotten meat, filled her nostrils.
Myrakle swallowed hard. Suddenly, nausea constricted her throat. She pulled Dumpling closer to her and continued to rub his ear. "Shhhh." She tried to settle him before he did something he was trained to do and got himself killed. "If I don't know where I am, how can I show you where those fiddles are?"
His smile waned. "We been all over this ranch, we got a good idea where things are. You just tell us where to look and we'll find them ourselves."
She nodded, considering what she should do. Her foremost concern was to keep Dumpling from attacking them. Her second concern was protecting Joseph's property. "If I tell you, will you let me and Dumpling go?"
"Well now, we can't just let you go based on your word. Soon as we find them fiddles, we'll come back and see that you get back to your romantic picnic by the big rock. No harm done." The pure evil in his eyes told her a different outcome from what his lips expressed.
She shrugged one shoulder and twisted her neck. No harm done sure did leave a powerful pain at the base of her head. "You'll never get away with stealing from the Penella's. Surely you realize I wasn't alone out there. Joseph was on his way to—"
"Shut up!" Heated rage flared as he shoved his face into hers. Dumpling lunged toward him, baring his teeth. Myrakle dug her fingers into his coat, but he slipped through her fingers. His teeth sunk into the former ranch hand's neck and shoulder. The weight and momentum knocked them both back away from Myrakle.
"Dumpling! NO!" She scrambled to her knees and grabbed Dumpling by the hindquarters, trying to pull him off. The other men leapt to their feet, but something caught their attention. A puff of wind whizzed past her head. Someone had shot their gun. The bullet ricocheted off the dirt walls and barely missed her. "Dumpling! Stop!"
Dumpling and she fell back away from the man. Blood saturated the scoundrel's shirt from the collar down to his belly. He looked terrified. She glanced up, Joseph stood in the opening of the cavern with a pistol aimed at the two men and a shotgun aimed at the bloody man.
Myrakle's heart pounded so hard, she could barely breathe. "Joseph?"
Dumpling licked her tears and collapsed into her lap. She looked down at him. Something was wrong. She rubbed his ear. He was too limp. "Dumpling?"
She shook him slightly, but he didn't respond. "Joseph!" She screamed and pulled Dumpling to her chin, holding him so tight. Her tears fell on his head. "Dumpling!" She rocked him and cried. "It was too much for him. His heart gave out."
Joseph forced the three men to move together, just as Sebastian and his boys entered the cave. They took the three and wrapped ropes around their wrists behind their backs. Joseph knelt down next to Myrakle and rubbed Dumpling's head. "He died protecting you."
She buried her face against her lifelong companion's head and sobbed with abandon.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Weight pressed down beside Myrakle. She didn't want to talk to anyone. She pretended to be asleep. Her head under the covers, they couldn't see her face to know the difference. A gentle hand touched her shoulder. She cringed. Slowly she pulled down the quilt and looked into Mrs. Clements's kind eyes. "Myrakle, honey. Joseph is here to see you. He's been here every evening for the past three weeks. Don't you think it's time you get outta bed?"
Myrakle pulled the covers back over her face and sighed. No. It wasn't time to stop mourning Dumpling's death. She missed him with every fiber of her being. The gentle hand touched her shoulder again. She pursed her lips and squeezed her eyes closed. Once again, she slowly pulled back the cover and looked at the kind woman. "I can't."
"Oh honey. Yes, you can. It's not easy, but you can do it." Mrs. Clements gently hugged Myrakle's shoulders, coaxing her to sit up. She patted down her hair and pressed an empathetic smile. "I know how hard it is. It took me weeks to get up and around when my Wayne passed." Tears filled her eyes.
Myrakle blinked. If it hadn't been for Mrs. Clements, she might have starved to death these past few weeks. She'd come to her every day, three times a day, and brought her a tray of cooked oats or broth and bread.
Jasmine had tried to no avail to get Myrakle to rise from her bed, but she just didn't have the strength to do what her dear roommate wanted of her. Myrakle had no interest in eating or even breathing, but Mrs. Clements insisted and for some reason, Myrakle obeyed. She let Mrs. Clements help her stand while she held her dressing gown. Myrakle put her arms through the sleeves and let Mrs. Clements tie the sash. A rag doll had more energy. She slipped on her slippers and let Mrs. Clements guide her down the stairs and into the parlor. Joseph stared at the ground, his hat in his hands. His head jerked up when she entered the room.
"Myrakle!" He rushed toward her.
"Thank you for saving me." She choked through new tears she couldn't possibly have.
"I'm so sorry about Dumpling, Myrakle." He licked his lips. "I've got something for you."
She looked into his eyes. No words could form in her mouth. There was nothing she wanted. Nothing on this earth except her darling Dumpling. Mrs. Clements stepped up beside her and took her shoulders. "Why don't you sit down, dear?"
Myrakle let the woman lead her to a divan. She sat, then slowly lifted her eyes to Joseph. He smiled, and moved his hat. The runt from MaryBelle's litter wriggled in his hand. "Oh Joseph. Thank you, but I'm not ready."
"Now, wait. I know you already seen this pup when he was just a month old, but he's been getting ready for today. Now, I want you to watch this." Joseph let the puppy sit on the floor next to Myrakle's slippers.
"Sit." Joseph commanded.
The puppy sniffed at her feet but sat still.
Joseph held his hand in front of the puppies face. "Stay."
He walked away. The puppy looked anxious but stayed beside Myrakle's slippers. Joseph went into the hall toward the kitchen where nether Myrakle nor the puppy could see him.
"What—?" Myrakle watched at the empty hallway. Suddenly the puppy jumped up and pawed at her leg. She looked down at him. This was what Dumpling did when someone called her name. She stood and walked to the hall. The puppy stayed even with her stride for stride. Joseph stood back down the hall. "I've taught him three things that I knew Dumpling could do. You can help me teach him more, if you want."
Joseph looked down at the happy puppy panting at her side. "He certainly looks like it's a good match."
She pursed her lips. "He's beautiful, Joseph. Thank you."
Joseph rushed to take her into his arms. "You're beautiful, Myrakle. I almost died myself when I couldn't find you. I don't ever want to let you out of my sight again. Please, Myrakle—"
He eased down to one knee. Sister brides appeared from all directions. Myrakle felt the heat fill her cheeks as tears filled her eyes. He kissed her hand, and pulled the puppy onto his knee. He untied something from the pup's collar. "Will you take the puppy and me to love and protect you as long as we shall live? Myrakle Talitha Estes, will you marry me?"
She took the puppy into her arms, and put her left hand out to Joseph. He slipped the ring over her finger and lifted hopeful eyes to hers. "Is this a yes?"
She nuzzled the puppy and smiled. "Yes."
/> The sister brides rushed her, knocking her into Joseph. He staggered backward to regain his balance. The sister brides crowded his bride, admiring the ring and cuddling the puppy. He let them have their time. Soon she would be all his and his alone. His precious Myrakle and her new companion dog. A man just couldn't get any luckier than this. He turned to Chance, who stood proud as a peacock in his office, observing everything. He pursed a smile and gave Joseph a reassuring nod. Joseph returned the smile. Perhaps the man wasn't such a bad bride herder after all.
EPILOGUE
The little white chapel on the hill had never smelled so fragrant. Filled with wildflowers and evergreen branches, it had never looked so beautiful either. Myrakle waited at the back in the alcove for Beans to make the move forward, indicating the music had signaled for her entrance. A rainbow of colors glowed from the door she would soon pass through.
He squeezed her hand at his elbow and smiled. She returned his smile, and adjusted the weight of her burden. Rather than a bouquet of flowers, the new puppy, with a ribbon around his neck, curled against her arm, his head rested in her hand. Muffin lifted his head, looking around, but didn't struggle to get down. He was quite content to be carried.
Jasmine and Helena had already entered ahead of Myrakle. It was only a matter of time for the pastor to announce for everyone to rise in honor of the bride. Beans would let her know when it was her turn.
He turned widened eyes toward her. "This is it."
She nodded.
Together they stepped forward and slowly made their way down the aisle. Joseph and his brothers stood at the front beside the pastor. Myrakle's eyes met Joseph's and everything but his beautiful crystal-blue eyes faded. She floated toward those eyes that reflected her soul. So much love and safety shone in his eyes. Beans stopped her from walking all the way up to Joseph. The pastor's mouth moved. Beans took Myrakle's hand, kissed it sweetly as a tear filled the crease beside his eye, and passed it to Joseph. He took her hand and turned to stand beside her. She couldn't take her eyes off of his.
He smiled.
"I love you." His lips barely moved, so she knew he hadn't said this out loud.
"I love you." She mouthed and then bit back the overwhelming joy that pooled in her eyes.
In her peripheral, she knew the pastor was speaking, but she just couldn't tear her eyes off of the man who held both her hands. She could see her children in his eyes. A life full of joy and ribbons of beautiful music that they would create together. His eyebrows rose and he tipped his head toward the minster. She turned to see him looking at her anxiously. "What?"
He chuckled. "I said, do you, Myrakle, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?"
"Definitely. I do."
Her eyes turned back to Joseph. He nodded several times. She knew he was listening. "I do."
She smiled. Joseph tipped his head again and she turned to the pastor. He asked her to repeat after him and she stated her vows to Joseph to love him for the rest of her life. How could she not? She would honor him and never forsake him, as long as they both lived.
Turning back to Joseph, he said the same vows. Seth stepped up to Joseph and handed him a small velvet bag. Joseph opened it and took out a beautiful gold band. He took Myrakle's hand and put the ring half way on her finger. "This was our mother's." His mouth moved only slightly. She knew these words were for her only. "With this ring, I thee wed."
She looked down at the beautiful floral embellishment carved across the top of the golden band as Joseph slipped it all the way on her finger. She turned to the pastor just as he said, "I pronounce you Man and Wife."
Muffin wiggled, but she held him tighter. Joseph patted the pup's head and took her arm. Together they rushed down the aisle under a shower of rice and flower petals. A carriage waited for them outside the chapel. They ran directly to it and stumbled into the seats, laughing and clinging to each other. Muffin jumped between her lap and Joseph's. His tongue lolled over his open jaw. Myrakle laughed. "I think he's as happy as we are."
"I think you're right."
Myrakle quieted. She had missed her papa. All through the planning and preparing for her wedding, she constantly turned her thoughts to "what would papa think about this?" But today, especially when Beans walked her down the aisle and gave her away to Joseph. She felt a strong sensation of her papa's love. Had he watched from Heaven? She wanted to think he had. And momma, too. A tear spilled through her lashes.
"What is it?" Joseph grasped her hand.
She pressed a smile. "I was thinking of my parents."
Joseph nodded. "My ma has been heavy in my mind too."
The carriage stopped in front of the hotel. Joseph stepped down and turned to help Myrakle and Muffin out.
The doorman touched his hat. "Welcome Mr. and Mrs. Penella."
Myrakle paused. That was her. Mrs. Joseph Penella. She giggled and nuzzled her nose against Muffin's tan coat. Jasmine had given him a bath in rose water and he still carried the scent.
Joseph signed the registry for them both and accepted a key. Wrapping his arm around her shoulders, he guided her up two flights of wide-open stairs to the honeymoon suite. When he unlocked the doors and swung them wide open, she stepped back. Her jaw dropped in wonderment. The room was beautiful. Someone had filled it with fresh flowers, just like the chapel.
She let Muffin down to the ground and he galloped into the room. Joseph scooped her into his arms. She tossed her head back and laughed as he carried her into the suite. He lowered her to the ground and gazed into her eyes. She had never felt so loved, or in love. He lowered his lips onto hers, taking her mouth into his and leaving no doubt in her soul that he would love her forever. Their passion blazed as the kiss deepened. Her heart exploded with such amorous, passionate feelings.
The room spun. No, it was Joseph scooping her into his arms again and carrying her into the bedroom. Muffin barked and ran after Joseph's pant leg. Joseph smiled and pulled a cushion from the reading chair. "This is for you, my friend."
He patted the pillow and Muffin curled up on it.
Myrakle smiled as Joseph returned to her. "How do I get past all these buttons?" Myrakle laughed and turned her back to him, so he could help her remove her dress. Their marriage was sealed in a night of beautiful passion and eternal love.
The next morning, Myrakle rose before Joseph when Muffin jumped at the side of the bed. It looked like Dumpling's alert for someone calling her name. She slipped on a dressing gown and went to the door of the suite. A young man in a white suit tipped his hat, diverted his eyes from her gown, and shoved a tray on wheels into the suite. Joseph walked up behind her and handed the young man a coin.
Joseph took Myrakle in his arms and kissed her neck. "I ordered breakfast when we signed in."
"How thoughtful." She wanted to take him back to their bed of so much passion rather than eat, but she opted to eat the food while it was hot. It was such a kind and sweet gesture on her husband's part. Besides she needed to talk to Joseph. Now that they were married, she had some serious matters to discuss and settle.
They sat and he lifted metal covers from the china plates. Soft boiled eggs, toast, strawberries and powdered sugar, and sausage links lay arranged beautifully on both plates. She inhaled the aroma. "Hmmm."
She pinched one end of the sausage and held it down to Muffin. He galloped across the room to take the treat. "Joseph. I need to discuss something with you."
She poured them both coffee in the lovely china cups.
He looked up from tapping his soft-boiled eggshell. "What is it, my love?"
"When my papa died, he left me everything he owned."
Joseph put down his fork and wiped his mouth with the pristine white linen. "Oh. I didn't realize you—"
"Well, there was a condition attached to my receiving the inheritance." She swallowed back the emotions that chased after her words.
"Okay?"
"We met that condition yesterday." Heat filled her cheeks. "When we marr
ied."
"Oh?" An ornery smile crept onto his mouth. "Should we make sure it's good and met?"
She laughed. "We need to go to Lawrence, Kansas and settle my accounts."
"Oh." He paused. "Of course. How long do you have?"
"The condition was that I marry within six months of my papa's death." She felt the sadness riling in her throat, but she swallowed and forced it down. "So we have time, but we need to go soon. And I was thinking..."
He tilted his head. "What?"
"Well. When my papa gave me Dumpling, he had been a runt, just like Muffin. He was born in a lab at the University of Kansas. My papa knew the professors in the Animal Studies department and had worked from a theory he had to train a dog to help a person, like me, to be my ears." She looked into her husband's dear eyes. "You've done an excellent job teaching Muffin already, but what if while we are in Lawrence, we take Muffin to the University and seek out those same professors? What if we have them help us train Muffin like they did Dumpling? It would be beneficial for their studies and other people who are deaf. Who knows what improvements they may have discovered in the last ten years?"
Joseph nodded thoughtfully. "You have a very valid idea. Is there somewhere for us to stay while they train Muffin?"
She smiled and one eyebrow rose with glee. "As a matter of fact, my inheritance includes our home and a shop where Papa tinkered with inventions. You might actually enjoy being there for a while."
He looked at Muffin, jumping at her side, begging for another treat. "Do you want to move back to Kansas permanently?"
Sadness washed over his eyes. Myrakle reached across the small table and took his hand. "No. I think we should sell Papa's house and settle my accounts. Can't we transfer everything to Bent? Now that we are married, what's mine is yours, right?"
"Only if you want it to be. But I think we shall make an account in your name and what you have inherited from your father will continue to be yours. If you're sure that's what you want. Myrakle, I meant it when I said I'd do anything for you. Whatever you want, I will spend my last breath providing it for you."