Tears stung her eyes. “Maybe Ghost hasn’t gone far. He was getting so tame.”
“He’s miles from here.” Chase kissed the top of her head. “Good night,” he murmured and walked to his bedroom.
Molly heard his door click shut. A tear ran down her cheek as she went to her own room. Minutes ticked by, maybe hours, but Molly could not shut her brain down. It was Clay — she was sure of it and bad things were happening because she was here. They would stop if she left, but how could she give up her new life? For the first time Timmy had a semblance of a family. People who cared for him, looked after him. Molly felt loved here and she loved Emma, Ed, all the hands, Juanita and Chase.
Who was she kidding? She was head over heels in love with Chase Forrester. He was the one she didn’t want to leave.
A light tap caught her attention. She leaned up on her elbow, listening. The tap came again. Molly put on her robe, got up and opened the door . Chase stood there, his long, dark hair tangled from tossing and turning.
“Is something wrong?”
“I need to talk to you,” Chase whispered, taking her hand and pulling her into the kitchen.
The light was dim with only a lantern burning, but Molly saw the emotion in his eyes. He started to speak, but stopped and ran his hand through this hair.
A fear Molly hadn’t felt since arriving at Forrester Ranch took hold of her. She knew what was coming and she couldn’t bear to hear him say the words.
“Look, Molly, I…”
“Chase, stop, please.” She felt like she was being strangled. She swallowed hard, trying to control the tears that were sure to come. “You want us to leave. I understand.” Her voice shook so badly, she could hardly get the words out. “Truly, I do.”
“What?”
The tears came then. “Bad things are happening and it’s my fault. First Socks and now your horse.” She covered her mouth as a sob escaped. “Who knows what he might do next. He may go after somebody that lives here. I can’t be—”
Chase’s lips stopped her. The kiss was one like they had never shared before. It consumed her whole being, taking her breath away. Molly’s arms circled his neck and she leaned in as close as she could. She ached with disappointment when Chase broke the spell and moved back a fraction of an inch. “You leaving is the last thing in this world I want,” he whispered, looking deep into her eyes. “Truth is, you leaving me is the last thing I want you to do.”
Her eyes were shimmering green crystals. “Chase?”
“I know you’ve only been here a few months, but you’ve changed these walls from a place where I sleep and eat into a home. Do you remember when I told you about my father when we were coming back from Hackberry? Though my mother tried, there was just something missing. Not that my sisters and I didn’t whoop it up and make some great memories, but they were seldom in the house. Always away from the house where we wouldn’t disturb or bother our father. It shouldn’t be like that. There should be laughter and fun times in a home. I’ve seen more of that in the short time that you’ve been here than I can remember any place else.”
Chase took a strand of Molly’s hair and tucked it behind her ear. “I love you, Molly. I want you to stay with me. I want you and Timmy to be my family and make our own memories here.” He wiped a tear from her cheek. “Marry me, Molly. Be my wife.”
Her smile radiated through her tears. “I was so afraid you wanted us to leave.” She laid her head against his chest. “I have fallen hopelessly in love with you, too, Chase Forrester and I want to share the rest of my life with you. I want Timmy to have a father he can look up to.” She brought his lips to hers to show him how much she returned his love.
“Mama, when you’re through kissing on Chase, can you get me a drink of water?”
Chapter 16
The cattle drive would take place in May. Since the railroad had reached Kingman in 1883, the ranches only had to drive the cattle a few days, instead of the weeks it took driving them to Flagstaff. It was decided the wedding would take place June 10th, giving Molly a little over three months to send word out, plan the event, and get a wedding dress made.
“So, you’re going to be my pa?” Timmy asked, walking to the barn with Chase.
“Yes sir, I am,” Chase responded. “You okay with that?” he asked, messing up the boy’s shaggy hair.
“And you’ll teach me how to ride a horse and rope a cow?”
“You bet I will.” Once in the barn, Chase started to saddle his horse. The men were already out with the cattle. but Chase stayed behind to explain things to Timmy.
In a soft voice, Timmy asked, “Will you teach me how to shoot a gun so me or Mama won’t ever be afraid again?” Chase looked at the four-year-old sitting cross-legged on the dirt floor. His big green eyes held so much innocence that Chase’s gut clenched with an overpowering need to protect the boy.
He knelt. “Timmy, nobody’s going to hurt you or your mom as long as I’m around. If I’m not around, any man here will make sure you’re safe.”
A slow, toothless smile spread across his face. He jumped up and gave Chase a big hug. Chase got on his horse and said before leaving, “And as far as that shooting lesson goes — when you get a might taller.”
The rogue cougar continued to be a menace to ranchers in the area. Nobody had actually laid claim to have ever even seen it, but its cries were heard from afar, and it’s kills continued to cost the ranchers money.
“You listen to Emma, now hear?” Chase said. “I don’t want you being some cat’s dinner. You might give him a belly ache.”
“Oh, Chase,” Timmy laughed, “you’re teasing.”
Molly was seated up on the wagon. “You listen to him, young man and mind your manners.”
“Yes, Mama.”
It was a glorious March day. Perfect for a ride into town. Supplies would be bought along with things needed for her dress. She was using material Emma had saved, but thread was scarce. Letters were also being sent out. One to Chase’s folks, his sisters, his friend Tim Wilkins and his wife and another to Mary Palmer, his grandmother.
“I don’t remember you ever speaking of your grandparents,” Molly said when he requested an invitation be sent.
“Chances are she won’t be able to make it. Must be somewheres in her seventies by now.” He took her hand in his, one corner of his mouth curling up. “I was only around her a few times and I was young. They lived in Kansas so it wasn’t too far. She has the biggest heart of anybody I’ve ever met and was always so good to me, Nee and Josie.” He looked off into the distance. “The last time we were there I overheard Grandma tell my father to start being a father to us and not some distant disciplinarian. We left the next day.” Chase kissed Molly’s hand. “I’d really like her to be there when I get hitched.”
“What about your grandfather?”
“They had a ranch and I was hooked the first time I saw it. I loved everything about it. Once, I was allowed to go there the whole summer. Grandpa taught me so much. When I told my father that’s what I was going to do with my life, that was the last time we were ever allowed to visit.” They traveled on for a few minutes in silence. “He was such a great man, but passed on when I was about sixteen.” Molly squeezed his hand and offered up an encouraging smile.
“What about your family?” Chase asked. “Is there a letter for them?”
“There is, but it took me a long time to write it. I’m not sure if I want them at the wedding or not. I wonder if my anger toward my father was that of a spoiled brat missing her mother. I haven’t contacted them once since I left with James.” She swallowed hard. “I don’t even know if my brothers or sisters are alive or dead.”
Chase put his arm around her and hugged her tight. “Mail the letter. Maybe they will be able to come.”
Molly brought some chicken and biscuits for them to eat before their trek home. A blanket was spread and they ate while they talked about their future. Molly lay on her stomach while Chase sat with his legs cross
ed leaning back on his elbows. “Molly, what do you think about having more children?”
She got up on her knees and leaned in, kissing him. “I don’t just want more children. I want your children.”
A strange voice broke into their conversation. “If it isn’t the happy couple.”
Chase went for his gun until the click of a hammer being pulled back froze him in place.
Clay had the gun pointed at Molly’s heart. “Remove your holster, real slow like, and throw it over here.”
Chase did as he was told, fearing for Molly’s life. Clay kicked the holster away. He shot twice into the air, scaring the horses pulling the wagon and laughed as they galloped for home. Clay’s laugh was high-pitched, almost demonic. He was reed thin and his clothes hung off him. He had a scraggly beard about three inches long and his hair was so dirty and greasy, it was plastered to the sides of his face.
“I’m afraid that talk of children just ain’t gonna happen. Reason being, you’re gonna be a dead man.” More high-pitched laughter.
“Clay,” Molly pleaded, “leave us alone. We won’t report this and you can just go.”
“Oh, I’m going,” he said, all laughter gone, “but you’re coming with me.” Clay pursed his lips and casually scratched his head with the muzzle of his gun. “None of this would be happening if you hadn’t gotten all skittish that day you was looking for that mutt and run for home. I almost had my hands on the kid until you called him back.”
“You’re the one that took his dog,” Chase accused.
“Sure did. He was my bait to lure the boy away. Once I had him, I knew Molly would do anything she was told.” Clay’s smile was evil as he licked his lips. “I was going to try again but the dang mutt chewed through the rope. Almost caught him too but he bit me.”
“You let the stallion go?”
“Was going to kill it. Heard in town about the big party and how everyone from miles around goes, but wasn’t sure if any of your men stayed behind. Couldn’t use my gun so I went in with my knife.” Clay pulled out a vicious coffin handled bowie knife with a blade that was nine inches long. “Couldn’t get close enough so I decided to just let him go, though I got a swipe in before he ran out.”
Clay rubbed his thumb down the side of the blade. “I think what I need to do is maybe mark up that purty face of yours. You won’t be all fired up to run then. Nobody would have ya.”
“I’d kill her myself before I’d let a filthy animal like you get your hands on her.”
“I think after getting from her what’s due me, I’ll probably get tired of her unless she can think of new ways to keep my interest up.”
“You son of a—”. A loud, shrill scream came from behind them. There stood Ghost rearing back on his hind legs.
The distraction was long enough for Chase to make his move. The gun went off, grazing the side of Chase’s head, but it wasn’t enough to stop him. He barreled into Clay knocking him to the ground. A fist smashed into Clay’s face, blood darkened his beard. Chase pulled him to his feet and slammed his fist into the man’s stomach and when he doubled over, Chase sent him flying backwards when his fist connected with Clay’s chin. Blood flowed from the wound on Chase’s head, making him weave with dizziness until finally, he fell, landing on his back.
“Chase!” Molly cried, running to his side. Tears streamed down her face. “Please, Chase, look at me. Stay with me.”
Clay groaned and rolled to his side. He struggled to reach for his gun. Molly scrambled on her hands and knees to Chase’s holster desperate to save their lives. When the holster was in her hands she quickly turned, but Clay had his gun pointed at her. His face was bloody and his sneer, evil. Molly watched that smile turn to one of horror as the hooves of a 1,700 horse connected with his head and body.
Clay lay grotesquely on the ground, staring lifelessly up at her. Ghost snorted and roared, waving his head back and forth and then turned and galloped away.
Molly ran to grab the blanket and some water. She tore off her blouse, leaving her in her chemise. She covered him with the blanket then drenched her blouse with the water and tried to clean the blood from Chase’s face. “Please, God, don’t take him from me.”
“I’m not going anywhere,” he moaned.
She put her head on Chase’s chest and sobbed.
Molly was gasping for breath by the time she found Clay’s horse and lifted Chase, with his help, up into the saddle. She glanced once more at Clay’s lifeless body before taking the reins and leading the horse for home. She didn’t know how long they had been walking when she spotted a cloud of dust around the bend. Jasper, driving the wagon with his horse tied to the back, came around the small hill blocking her view.
He pulled the horses up hard, spewing dirt and rocks. Jasper jumped down before the wagon had stopped and looked up at Chase. “Boss, you okay?” He turned his eyes to Molly. “What happened? Who did this?”
“Can you help me into the back of the wagon?” Chase slurred. “I really want to lie down.” Chase began to slowly slide off the horse.
Jasper caught him and half carried, half dragged him to the wagon. Once he was situated, Jasper looked Molly over. “You okay?”
Her bottom lip quivered, she covered her face with her hands and began to cry. “I thought he was dead. And th...th...then,” she stuttered, “I thought he was going to shoot me.”
“Who?” Jasper yelled. “Who did this?”
“Clay.” Molly wailed, burying her face in Jasper’s chest. His eyes widened and his arms went wide, slowly coming in to pat her back.
“Where is he?” Jasper asked, not moving.
Molly stood back and wiped her eyes. “He’s dead. Ghost killed him.”
“What?”
“I’ll explain later. Chase needs looking after. You should ride ahead and tell Emma we’re coming and Chase is hurt and needs tending.”
Jasper untied his horse from the wagon and rode away as fast as he could.
“Quit being such a baby,” Emma scolded as she cleaned Chase’s head wound.
“That hurts!” he said pushing her hand away.
“Well you should have been faster on your feet! Now be still!” She cut the thread and put a bandage over the stitches. “It only took four stitches. Timmy was a better patient than you.”
Molly chewed on her bottom lip as she watched. “He’ll be okay, won’t he?”
“If he doesn’t whine himself to death.” Emma laughed as she walked out of Chase’s bedroom.
Molly sat on the edge of his bed. “Does it hurt much?”
“No. It’ll be fine.” He rubbed his thumb on the inside of her palm. “So, tell me again. I didn’t kill Clay, Ghost killed him, right?”
She nodded. “He reared up, came down on him a few times and then ran off.”
Chase shut his eyes. “That horse has forever earned his freedom.”
She kissed his lips. “My thinking exactly.”
Chapter 17
“Ouch!” Molly squeaked when a hen pecked her hand as she was gathering eggs. She glared at the little white Bantam hen. “Why are you the only chicken that gives me grief?”
“Bertha giving you fits?”
Molly turned to see Clancy walk in. “This hen is just cranky! None of the others attack me like she does.”
“You don’t corner something meaner than you are,” the old man chuckled. “Before you came, we all had to collect eggs. I learned a little trick with Old Bertha.” He picked up a small spade. “You lay this here edge right under her chest and while she’s banging away at that, you slip your hand under and grab them eggs.”
Molly’s eyes brightened. “That’s brilliant! Thank you.”
“Glad I could help out. Least ways Chase doesn’t think I’m too old to tangle with a chicken.”
“I’m sorry, you had to stay behind, Clancy.” She laid a hand on his arm. “In previous years, did Chase leave a man behind while the others went on the cattle drive?”
“He did. Could
n’t leave Emma to fend for herself, but it was always a couple of the new young pups. I think I’ve paid my dues. I thought Chase needed what I had to offer.” He put his gloves back on and started for the door.
“Clancy, wait.” She moved in front of him, blocking his escape. “It’s not what you think. I overheard Chase and Ed talking. Ed was mad saying you couldn’t stay behind because you did the work of four men. Chase said that was absolutely true but did Ed want a greenhorn staying here to watch over his wife and brand new baby with a cougar hanging around. He also said some rancher’s new stud was stolen and these thieves will know the ranch is unprotected and who would be best to stay behind but the best man they have.”
Clancy’s cheeks burned red. He cleared his throat and blustered something about not having the time to gab with the women folk and he walked away with a bit more spring in his step.
Chase and his men would be home the following day. The women had been busy planning for the wedding and Clancy let Timmy tag along so as not to get underfoot.
“Let’s take a look at this material I’ve put away. It’s been a month of Sundays since I’ve looked at it.” Emma opened the old chest at the foot of her bed. She removed folded clothes and blankets, finally finding the material at the bottom. It was the color of ivory and made of cotton.
When she unfolded it, Molly’s heart sank. Small holes, from bugs or rodents, dotted the material. “Oh no,” Emma gasped. “How did this happen?” She put the material down, shaking her head. “I’m sorry, Molly. Something’s been chewing on this.”
Molly put her arm around Emma’s shoulders and squeezed. “Don’t worry about it. I’ll just have to wear one of my dresses. It will be fine.” She examined the material. “There’s plenty that hasn’t been damaged for you to make Rosie some fine things.”
Emma put everything back in the chest except for the material. She closed the lid and plopped down on it. “I feel so bad. I wanted you to have a nice wedding dress.”
Chase's Story (Grandma's Wedding Quilts Book 10) Page 8