“Why did they kill Luke?”
“One of the boys did it. Seems he got scared and his gun went off. It was an accident really. Not that it’s going to help Luke or his family.”
“What will happen to them?” Mary asked, not really wanting to know the answer.
“They’ll hang. Stealing cattle is a crime. It doesn’t matter what their reasons were.”
Mary said a quick prayer for the families of the rustlers and Luke. She had liked the quiet ranch hand. Davy looked tired and sad. He really does have a kind heart. “I made you an apple pie. Why don’t you wash up and I will put dinner on the table?” Mary looked at the ranch hands. “You are all welcome to join us.”
Chapter 49
Davy hung back as the ranch hands rushed to wash up. They were starving and the prospect of good hot food was tempting. Davy wasn’t hungry. He hadn’t eaten anything but jerky since leaving Mary. His stomach was doing somersaults while he stared at his wife. Mary worked hard and had turned his house into a home. Everyone loved her. Mrs. Higgins sang her praises all the time.
He couldn’t tell from looking at her face whether she was still angry with him. He had treated her so badly the night of his birthday. On the trail, he had gone over and over his behavior, wondering how to fix the damage his jealousy had caused. He had no right to question his wife’s virtues. She had never given him any reason not to trust her. He had told her he loved her. She hadn’t said how she felt. Mick had interrupted them before she could. He rubbed his sweaty hands down his trousers. He had to talk to her again. But now wasn’t the time. They needed privacy. He couldn’t risk being interrupted a second time. Sighing loudly, he led his horse to the barn.
Sometime later, the barn door opened and Mrs. H walked in. “So this is where you are hiding.”
“I’m not hiding. I had to look after the horses. We rode them hard.”
“Humph. You’re the boss. You could have got the men to do that. I know you, Davy Sullivan. You’re scared.”
Davy didn’t answer. He pushed his head closer to the horse he was rubbing down. The last thing he needed was a lecture from Mrs. H.
“You have a good woman in there. Someone who was scared stiff the whole time you were away. You should be in the house giving her a great big hug, not hiding out here.”
“She probably doesn’t want me anywhere near her. I didn’t exactly behave the night of the raid.”
“You sure didn’t. You let that green-eyed monster come out again. You got to get a control of that, Davy, before you lose the best thing that ever happened you. Mary loves you.”
“She does?” Davy’s heart swelled with hope.
“Yes, she does, you half-wit. Now, what are you going to do about it?”
“I need to speak to her. In private.”
“I’m not going to send her out here. You stink. Get a bath and I will make more coffee. Don’t be long.”
“Yes, Ma’am.” Davy grabbed Mrs. H and gave her a hug, before running off.
Chapter 50
Mary entered the living room but on seeing Davy, she turned to leave. Davy shot to his feet. “Please don’t go yet. I want to apologize. I behaved very badly the night of my birthday.” He looked at her but she stared into the fire.
“Thank you for my present. It’s beautiful. Mick told me there was nothing between you. How Mrs. H organized the whole thing.”
“So you take his word over mine. Thank you so much.” Mary’s anger was obvious, not only from her tone, but by the look on her face.
“No, that’s not what I meant.” Davy panicked. “I have to tell you the rest. Please sit.”
She sat at the edge of the seat, her discomfort obvious.
“I love you, Mary. I know that’s hard to believe but I do.”
“Sure you do. That’s why you didn’t come in for dinner after being away for the last few days. I was worried about you. I thought you might die.”
Davy smiled. “You were worried. I’m glad.”
Mary’s eyebrow lifted.
“I don’t mean I’m glad you were upset. But just that you missed me. Oh, I am making a mess of this again. I am not good with words.”
“How did Tilly die?”
“She fell down the stairs.”
“Oh, the poor girl. How tragic. You must have been heartbroken.” Mary’s eyes filled with tears. Davy wiped a couple that spilled down her cheek. She reached up to stop him and he took her hand gently in his, using his other hand to cup her face. “Don’t cry please, Mary. Not yet. The worst is to come.”
“What could be worse?”
“Tilly’s death wasn’t an accident.” He heard Mary’s intake of breath. “At least, I don’t believe it was. She killed herself and it’s all my fault.”
“Why? Suicide is a sin. It’s not right or fair to say somebody did that unless you have proof. Do you?”
“Not exactly, but she had reason. She was pregnant.”
Mary shuddered and sat back, putting as much distance between them as possible. “With your baby? Why didn’t you marry her? Oh the poor girl. May God have mercy on her soul.”
“It wasn’t mine.”
“What? But… Well, I thought she was your fiancée? Oh...”
“Tilly was in love with someone else. Somebody she could never have. She had to marry someone and she choose me.”
“Why you? One thing I have learned is that there are plenty of single men around.”
“I lived in another town. I was her ticket to respectability. Although she was only 18, it turned out my so-called immature fiancée wasn’t as innocent as Pa believed. “
“Couldn’t the father of the child marry her?”
“He wasn’t interested. His parents were the richest people in town and he was headed East to college. Poor Tilly believed his lies.”
Chapter 51
Mary stared into the flames, her heart breaking for the poor girl. She could so easily have been in her position. She shivered, thanking the Good Lord she had the strength to deny the masters son’s demands back in Ireland. She didn’t know what to say to Davy. Part of her wanted to give him a hug and tell him it wasn’t his fault but the other part wanted to know why he hadn’t married the girl anyway. If he loved her, surely he should have helped her out of the situation.
“You are wondering why I didn’t marry her anyway, aren’t you?”
Surprised he read her mind, she could only nod.
“I had decided to do just that. I was on my way over to her place when I met her uncle in town. He was coming out of the saloon. He shot at me but thankfully he’d had so much liquor, he missed. Turns out he suspected Tilly was pregnant and had confronted her. She told him I took advantage of his absence but wasn’t prepared to marry her. He held me responsible for her death. I think he knew she did it on purpose, too. “
“Oh, Davy. I’m sorry.”
“I should never have told her I was breaking our engagement. If I had married her like she begged me to, she wouldn’t be dead.” He put his head in his hands, but not before she saw the tears glistening.
Mary put her arms around him as his shoulders heaved. “Don’t, my darling. You are not responsible for Tilly. She made her own choice.” She stroked his head, her own tears falling. “You weren’t to know what she would do. You changing your mind shows you to be the kindhearted man I love.”
He stilled and looked up at her.
“You do?”
Mary leaned down and kissed him gently on the lips. “Yes I do.”
He put his arms around her, dragging her down on top of him. They toppled off the sofa and onto the rug in front of the fire. Her skin tingled as he brushed the loose tendrils of hair away from her face. His eyes held hers as he leaned toward her, stealing a kiss.
“I…love… you.” Each word was punctuated with a kiss.
The kisses gradually changed from gentle to demanding as their breathing deepened. She gasped as he kissed his way from her lips to her ear and back. “You sm
ell so good.”
“Hmmm” She moaned, her ability to talk compromised by his demanding mouth.
All too soon, he seemed to realize he was lying on top of her. Without losing his hold, he picked her up and sat on the sofa with her on his knee.
“About earlier.”
“Let’s not talk about that.” She looked at his lips willing him to kiss her again.
“Can you see now why I get jealous if you are with another man?”
Mary traced his face with her finger. “I do and I understand given what you have shared.” As the relief flared in his eyes, she continued. “But you have to let the past go Davy. I am not Tilly. I am in love with you. Nobody else.”
“I will try.”
“You have to do better than that. I admit when we married, we were strangers. I thought you were handsome.”
He silenced her with a kiss. Flustered, she had to think about what she’d been saying.
“And kind, if rather smelly.” They both smiled.
‘Since then, you have conquered my heart. I love you and only you. I want to be your wife.” Embarrassed she looked down but cupping his hands on her face, he forced her to look at him.
“What are you saying, Mary?”
“You know.”
“Maybe but I need to be sure.” He kissed her. “Are you trying to say you are ready to be my wife in every sense?”
She nodded, her mouth too dry to speak even if she could concentrate on anything other than wanting to be kissed again. Her insides felt as if they had melted.
Grinning, he picked her up and walked toward the stairs.
Epilogue
Mary held her hands out in front of her. “Davy, I can’t see a thing. I’ll fall.”
“You won’t. Just hold tight. You’ll ruin the surprise if you take off the blindfold.”
“I must look a fright. You’re a big child, Davy Sullivan.” She poked her husband in the ribs. “Why did you come to town? Katie and I can meet Sorcha off the train. Haven’t you got chores to do?”
Davy laughed louder but still refused to remove the cloth around his wife’s eyes. The train would be here any minute. He couldn’t wait to see her reaction. He spotted his sister-in-law and niece up ahead. Guiding Mary gently, he walked up to the rest of his family. Katie winked at him before teasing Mary.
“Morning. Not sure that fashion is going to catch on, Mary.”
“Are you in on this too, Katie Sullivan? What is on the train? Is Cathy coming? No, she can’t be as she is visiting Europe. Can you believe my little sister will see Paris?”
“Clover Springs is much nicer than Paris. What does Sorcha look like?”
Davy appreciated Katie’s effort to change the subject. Mary still found it difficult to accept Cathy had a new family now.
“Sorcha. She’s got blonde curly hair and is about this tall.” Mary gestured with her hands. “Oh, I hate surprises.”
“You love them and you know it. Shush up now or you’ll wake Ella. If you do, you can get her back asleep.”
Davy looked at the sleeping baby. Angelic was only used when she was asleep. Awake the child was as cranky as her namesake. At nine months old, it was easy to see who was the boss at the mercantile.
“It’s coming. I can hear the whistle. What did you get me Davy? Is it a new book?” Mary jumped up and down in excitement.
“Patience is a virtue, wife. Didn’t the good nuns teach you that?” He moved his foot out of his wife’s way just in time.
“Oh look, there’s Mr. Petersen now. Doesn’t he look smart?” Katie pointed out their neighbor who stood further along, playing with his hat.
“Looks rather nervous, if you ask me. It’s not the wind shaking that hat. Reverend Tim may have to bolt the doors of the church for that service. Poor man, he should run now while he has the chance. While he’s still free. Ow!” Davy rubbed his shin ruefully.
“You deserved it. What a way to talk. Anyone would think you hated being married. Mr. Petersen was delighted when Katie offered to write to Mrs. Gantley on his behalf. Wasn’t he, Katie?”
“I’m not sure he was over the moon but he knows he needs a wife. It was fortunate Sorcha decided she wanted to come to Clover Springs as Mrs. Gantley didn’t have anyone suitable. His children need a mother and he has to work or he will lose customers. People only have so much patience.” Katie moved Ella onto her other shoulder.
“And some have none, isn’t that right, Mary?” Davy couldn’t resist teasing his wife but he wisely kept his feet out of her range this time. “Here’s the train, on time for once.”
The screech of the train brakes drowned out his words. Doors opened allowing the passengers to disembark. He spotted the boy immediately, his face alight with a mixture of excitement and terror. His companion was a nice looking girl with strawberry blonde hair. She, too, looked terrified although she was trying to smile.
“Wait here with Katie. I’ll just be a minute.” He took off before Mary could protest. Striding up to the girl holding the little boy’s arm, he held out his hand. “Miss Matthews?”
The girl nodded, although her eyes filled with confusion. Swallowing hard, she whispered “Mr. Petersen?”
“No sorry, Miss. I’m Davy Sullivan, Mary’s husband. This must be Ben. Thank you for looking after him on the journey.” Davy looked around him for a minute. He couldn’t see Petersen in the crowds. “Why don’t you both come with me? Mary can’t wait to see you. She’s over there with Katie, my sister in law. Petersen will find us, he may have gone to get your bags.”
“I have everything I own right here, Mr. Sullivan. Perhaps he was delayed.” The girl looked around her, the mask hiding her fear slipping somewhat. Davy wanted to reassure her by telling her Brian Petersen was a nice man. But he couldn’t. He didn’t know him that well. The Petersen’s hadn’t lived in Clover Springs that long before the tragedy happened. “No, he’s here alright. I saw him not five minutes ago. Please come with us. Katie can’t wait to hear how Nellie is.”
The smile on Sorcha’s face widened. “Nellie told Cook to tell me to watch out for Indians.”
Davy laughed loudly, causing a few people to stare in their direction. Davy bent down to be closer to the boy. “You must be Ben. I’m very pleased to meet you. Mary has told me lots about you.” The boy stood taller. “She doesn’t know you are coming, Ben. She thinks I’ve bought her some new books. I didn’t tell her the Nuns let you come to live with us. She is going to be so happy. She told me all about you.”
The child’s face lit up with the biggest smile. Davy had to swallow hard to get rid of the lump in his throat. He held out his hand. “Come on, son. Let’s go over to meet your new Ma.”
Davy walked slowly towards Mary, trying to adjust his pace to match Ben’s limp without making it too obvious. Sorcha walked slightly ahead of them. Katie’s eyes widened when she saw the young boy. Davy put a finger to his lips to warn Katie to be quiet. He didn’t want the surprise ruined now.
“Miss Matthews, would you mind taking off Mary’s blindfold please.” Davy and Ben exchanged grins.
“Sorcha, I am so glad you are here. Sorry about my husband. He has an odd sense of humor. I don’t know what you thought you were doing Davy…” Mary turned toward her husband but stopped talking to stare at Davy and Ben.
“Oh my. Ben, what are you doing here?”
Davy watched as his wife bent down to give the child a big hug. Tears ran down her face.
“Go on son, give your new Ma a hug.”
“Ma? You mean… Ben is …”
Davy put his arm around Mary, kissing her on the cheek. “That’s right. Ben is coming to live with us. Now stop fussing woman and take your son to the church. We need to find Petersen for Miss Matthews. We have a wedding to get to.” Davy was nearly knocked off his feet as his wife gave him a huge hug.
“I love you Davy Sullivan.”
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Also by Rachel Wesson
Clover Springs Mail Order Brides
Katie (Book 1)
Mary (Book 2)
Sorcha (Book 3)
Emer (Book 4)
Writing as Ellie Keaton
Women & War (World War II fiction)
Gracie
Penny
Molly
About the Author
Hi, I’m Rachel. I’m Irish, living in Dublin with my three children, two boys and a girl.
I love to read. As I tell my kids, it is the easiest way to escape into a whole different world. You can go to absolutely any country, century or world you wish without leaving home. My mom used to tell me that she would regularly have to take away a flashlight when I was younger so that I would go to sleep on a school night.
My mom also used to say that if we were going on holidays, the first thing in my suitcase were my books. That was a long time before e-book readers!
I read a lot of books and absolutely love anything set in the old West. When I was a child, I loved to watch Little House on the Prairie. Nellie Oleson was my favorite character. I also admit to watching Dr Quinn- Medicine Woman, lol.
I love when readers make contact with me either via Facebook or through my website. I am flattered when they make suggestions on topics I should cover in future books. Without my readers, I wouldn’t be living my dream. Thank you.
authorrachelwesson
www.rachelwesson.com
Mary: Clover Springs Mail Order Brides 2 Page 12