Whispering Pines

by Scarlett Dunn

  Morgan noticed how she suddenly grew quiet. She was probably curious if he’d found the rustlers. “I didn’t catch up with them. They were headed to New Mexico Territory, but I had to turn back or I would have missed our wedding.”

  “I don’t think it was Frankie,” she said.

  Just a moment earlier he was thrilled to see her smiling face. But now he found himself getting irritated that she was still intent on defending Frank. He tried not to take it personally, since Frank was her blood, but it was becoming more difficult to be tolerant of her unwillingness to accept the truth. “Rose, I know you don’t want to believe your brother is responsible . . .” He stopped midsentence when she turned to face him and placed her hand on his chest.

  “No, I mean I don’t think Frankie is on his way to New Mexico Territory. I went to see Stevie.” She saw the disapproving look on his face, and quickly added, “Joseph took us to the farm. I asked Stevie if he knew where Frankie was hiding and he said he didn’t. But I know he was lying, I could see it on his face. Stevie was never a good liar. I think Frankie is still near Whispering Pines.”

  “That doesn’t mean it wasn’t Frank I was following,” Morgan told her.

  “No, it doesn’t. But Stevie said something else that made me think Frankie is nearby.”

  “What did he say?”

  “Granny told him he should stay away from our wedding, and he said he didn’t want to come if it did take place. Something about the way he said it made me think Frankie would do something to try and stop us from marrying.”

  Morgan thought he saw fear in her eyes. “Honey, don’t you worry about that. Frank is not going to stop our wedding.”

  “I’m afraid he will do something to you,” she admitted.

  Morgan was surprised she finally seemed to believe everything he’d told her about Frank. “Don’t worry about me, I can handle Frank.” He leaned over and kissed her again. “What made you accept the truth about Frank?”

  “So many things. I remember being very young, and Frankie was always telling me not to go near you. He told me no one trusted you. He told me so many things, and that’s why I was frightened of you. He filled my head with lies. I’m sure he’s done the same thing to Stevie. Granny and I have talked about some of the terrible things he has done. Deep down, I know he’s guilty.” She was crying now and Morgan was holding her close. “I’m sorry I didn’t believe you. It was so hard for me to believe the worst of my own brother.”

  “I know, honey. Don’t cry.” As much as he wanted her to face the truth about her brother, he hated to see the pain it caused.

  He held her as she cried. She said something else, but he couldn’t understand what she was saying for her sobs. “What? Honey, it’s okay. Stop crying so I can hear you.”

  “I’m so sorry about Judge.”

  Morgan stiffened. He hadn’t wanted anyone to mention the horse to her and cause her more heartache. “Who told you?”

  “It doesn’t matter. You should have been the one who told me.” She wasn’t angry he hadn’t told her. She knew he did it to keep from hurting her.

  “Would you have believed me?”

  She saw his point, and it upset her even more that she’d ever doubted him. “I’ll never doubt your word again.”

  “Honey, what happened to Judge was a long time ago. We can’t do anything about it now, and it wasn’t your fault.” He handed her the bandana from his pocket. “Dry your eyes, and tell me if you finished making your wedding dress.”

  She wiped her tears away. “It’s finished.”

  “Will you show it to me?”

  She shook her head. “It’s bad luck. You can see it tomorrow.”

  He kissed the top of her head. “It’s probably a good thing, I’m not sure I could control myself.”

  “What do you mean?”

  He leaned down and kissed her ear before his lips moved to her neck. “You know what I mean,” he whispered.

  She shivered. “Oh.” He’d made her completely forget about Frankie.

  He pulled his lips away from her ear. “Now before you can’t control yourself, could I talk you into feeding a starving man?”

  Rose blushed at his words. “I was just making some coffee when you rode in. There’s fresh water on the back porch if you want to clean up first.”

  Remembering how she’d reacted the last time he’d stripped out of his shirt, he leaned down and whispered in her ear, “Do you want to watch me take off my shirt?”

  “Morgan LeMasters, you are incorrigible.” The truth was, she did want to see him without his shirt.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Corbin lifted the whiskey bottle to his lips, draining the last drop. “I’m glad we came to Denver.”

  “Walt can come and go here since no one knows him. It’s safer here for all of us than at Whispering Pines,” Frank said, opening another bottle and passing it to Corbin.

  “It’s better than staying around Whispering Pines,” Corbin slurred. As he took a drink from the new bottle, he thought about the screams he’d heard in the pines. He was hoping the more he drank the quicker he would forget about those sounds. He didn’t want to think about it, but he couldn’t help himself from saying, “I wonder what happened to Mason.”

  Frank wanted to forget what happened in the pines. “It’s best we all forget about Mason. What’s done is done.”

  Walt didn’t comment, but if Frank thought he was going to go back to that ranch so Frank could exact whatever revenge he wanted on LeMasters, he was in for a surprise. After they robbed the bank, Walt had plans of his own, and they didn’t include riding with Frank.

  “Frank, it’s hard to forget those screams,” Corbin mumbled.

  “Drink up. Whiskey will do the job,” Frank said.

  Frank and Walt were waiting for Corbin to pass out. They were visiting Reuben later, and Corbin was in the dark about the robbery they were planning. Frank was beginning to think it would have been faster to crack Corbin in the head with the butt of his pistol than to wait for him to succumb to the liquor. Corbin finally passed out before he finished half of the second bottle.

  “Who would think he could drink that much?” Walt asked.

  “Yeah, I imagine his head will be throbbing in the morning when I send him back to the Conner place.”

  “What reason are you going to give him to go back to Whispering Pines?” Walt asked.

  “I don’t have to give him a reason. And I ain’t about to take him with us to rob the bank. We don’t need him. I just didn’t want him staying at the Conner place in case Stevie came back. He’d tell him we were in Denver, and little brother doesn’t need to know everything we are doing.” Frank walked to the door. “Let’s get out of here.”

  Walt led the way to Reuben’s home. It was three o’clock in the morning, and the streets were empty, but taking no chances, they tied their horses in the trees near the back of Reuben’s home, and slipped in his back door.

  It was dark and Frank stopped in the doorway until his eyes adjusted to his surroundings. He made his way deftly across the room to the bed in the corner of the room. He stopped cold in his tracks when he heard someone cock the hammer of a revolver.

  “What are you doing in my home?” Reuben asked.

  “We want to talk,” Frank responded.

  Reuben swung his legs over the side of the bed and lit his lamp. “What do you need to talk about at this hour?”

  If Reuben hadn’t had a derringer Frank might have laughed at his nightclothes. He was wearing a nightshirt that stopped just below his knees, and Frank thought he’d never seen such white, bony legs. “We decided we’re gonna rob that bank Sunday during church instead of waiting until next week. So we are going to be spending today with you.”

  Reuben looked from Frank to Walt. “Where’s Stevie?”

  “He’ll be along,” Frank lied smoothly.

  “I always attend the church service,” Reuben said. “I’m sure people will notice when I’m not the
re.”

  “All the better to make people think you were forced at gunpoint, and had no hand in the robbery,” Frank countered.

  Reuben had already thought about that angle. He just didn’t want to be found dead inside the bank after Frank got the money. Reuben had no choice but to agree to the new plan. After they discussed the details of the robbery, Reuben told them the best place to leave their horses for a quick getaway.

  Walt had already found the perfect place for the horses, but it was good to know Reuben agreed on the spot. “We will leave Stevie with the horses.”

  Reuben didn’t believe for a minute that Stevie would even be in Denver. “I will meet you in a week for my share. I can’t keep money with me in case the sheriff gets suspicious and searches my home.”

  “That sounds like a good idea.” Frank couldn’t believe any man could be as gullible as Reuben, not even Corbin.

  “This is going to be a lot of money. Where are you and your men headed from here?” Reuben asked.

  “We haven’t decided yet,” Frank said. “What about you?”

  “I’m undecided as well,” Reuben said, being as cautious as Frank about his future plans.

  Frank figured they’d spend the rest of the night with Reuben, and he would leave early in the morning to tell Corbin to go back to the Conner place. He wasn’t going to need him until he got back to Whispering Pines.

  * * *

  Early Saturday morning, Stevie rode back to the Conner cabin and found it empty. He saw nothing to indicate Frank had been there since yesterday. He didn’t know how he was supposed to tell Frankie that Rose’s wedding was at noon if he had no idea how to find him. He thought Frankie was probably in Denver. Frank should have told him where he was going and when he would return. Stevie paced the floor. Something told him he was the only one who didn’t know what was going on. He had a feeling Frankie was going to double-cross him and rob that bank without him. Problem was, he didn’t know what to do about it.

  * * *

  Clay Hunt arrived at Morgan’s ranch an hour before the wedding. When Morgan opened the door, Clay said, “I hear there’s a wedding today.”

  “You heard right. Come in and have a cup of coffee while we wait for my bride.” Morgan ushered Clay into the kitchen and poured him some coffee. “How are you enjoying Whispering Pines?” He pointed to the table and added, “Have a seat.”

  “It’s a fine little town, and all of the folks have been more than generous to me. I swear I don’t ever have to cook my own meals. The ladies see to it I eat hearty.”

  Morgan refilled his own cup and sat down. “I bet the single ladies are trying to outshine each other.” He’d been on the receiving end of all that attention, and he knew how the women openly competed with each other, showing off their culinary skills.

  Clay laughed. “Sounds like a man speaking from experience.”

  “Yessir, I’ve been there.”

  “And not one tempted you before now?”

  Morgan shook his head. Even though he wanted a family, it wasn’t until he saw Rose that he felt the urgency to marry. “No, I didn’t give it a lot of thought before Rose stepped off that stagecoach.”

  “I’m glad we have a moment to talk alone. I’ve heard a few interesting stories about your ranch, and to be honest, I’m not quite sure what to make of them. Several of the parishioners mentioned they wouldn’t attend this wedding if they were me. For some reason they seem quite frightened of riding on your land. Can you tell me if they are just having sport with me?”

  Morgan explained the history of the pine-tree range as explained to him years ago by Joseph. “You will meet Joseph Longbow soon.”

  “Did a man really get lost in there and was never found?” Clay asked.

  “That’s the story. I’m sure you are referring to the man who was rustling cattle with Frank and his gang. They told folks he never came out of the pines. Joseph tells me the same thing has happened to many men over the years. As you will see, those pines cover a large territory, and it’s easy to lose your sense of direction. A man could get lost in there and never find his way out if he’s not careful. A soldier was lost in there a few years back, and never seen again.”

  “Tell me, do you really hear screams in there?”

  Morgan smiled at him. “You will see for yourself today.”

  “I have to admit, I’m nervous and curious at the same time.”

  “Just so you know, people hear different things in the pines.”

  Clay gave him a skeptical look. “I’m beginning to think this is a joke you locals play on the newcomers.”

  Morgan chuckled at his comment. “As I said, you will see for yourself today.”

  There was a knock on the back door, and Jack stuck his head inside before Morgan reached the door. “Am I in time for the wedding?”

  “I was hoping you would make it,” Morgan said, shaking Jack’s hand.

  “Clay,” Jack said, acknowledging the pastor.

  “Good to see you, Sheriff,” Clay said.

  The last time Morgan saw Jack he’d discussed his suspicions about Stevie. He thought he’d ask Jack about it before Granny and Rose came downstairs. “Did you hear any more about that stagecoach robbery?”

  “Yeah. From all accounts that clerk fellow is a good employee, and no one thinks he would be involved in anything like that.”

  “Maybe so,” Morgan said.

  “But one of the guards winged the man who did the robbing,” Jack added.

  Morgan arched his brow at him. “Is that so?”

  “Yeah. Now enough business. Where’s the beautiful bride?” Jack asked.

  “We’re waiting for her,” Morgan said.

  “I was just about to say, Morgan seems very calm for a man who is about to change his life,” Clay said.

  “I look forward to the change. I’ve been alone a long time.” Truthfully, Morgan hadn’t expected he would be as excited as he was to marry. He hadn’t been able to sleep last night for thinking about today. He planned to do his best to make many happy memories with Rose. Of course, they would have some hardships, that was life, but with a woman like Rose at his side, he could deal with anything. He’d be working for a family now, and that made him more determined than ever to leave something behind for his children. He hadn’t asked Rose, but he hoped she wanted to start a family right away.

  “You are getting a beautiful woman,” Clay said.

  “Yes, I am.” Morgan raised an eyebrow at him. “Did you know she has two sisters who will be home soon?”

  “I think I heard something about more sisters,” Clay replied.

  Morgan was telling him about Rose’s sisters when Granny walked in. “I was just telling Clay that Adelaide will be home soon.”

  “Yes, she will, but don’t get your hopes up, Pastor. Adelaide is perfect for the sheriff,” Granny said.

  Jack rolled his eyes. “Granny already has me married off.”

  “How do you know Adelaide is the one for Jack?” Morgan asked.

  “The same way I knew Rose was perfect for you. I think it will be Emma who will interest the pastor.”

  Morgan and Clay exchanged a look. They weren’t about to argue with Granny’s intuition.

  “Emma’s the opera singer,” Morgan said.

  “She will be coming to Denver with her troupe by the end of the year, and Morgan has promised to take us to hear her. You should join us.”

  Granny looked at Jack and said, “Of course, you and Adelaide will be going with us.”

  Morgan grinned at Jack and slapped him on the back. “Granny has everything planned out.”

  “As I told her, if Adelaide is as pretty as Rose, she can marry me off any day,” Jack said.

  “Granny, that is sure a pretty pink dress you are wearing,” Morgan said.

  “Thank you. I told Rose I hadn’t worn a pink dress since I was a young girl.”

  “You’re still young and beautiful,” Clay said.

  Granny leaned over his
shoulder and poured him another cup of coffee. She gave him an affectionate tap on the top of his head. “And you, Pastor, are a sweet-talker just like the sheriff. You should do very well with my Emma.”

  Rose walked into the room and all conversation stopped. Morgan stood, but he didn’t move from his spot. He simply stared. She reminded him of an angel standing there in her white dress. A fancy fanlike comb that resembled a crown held her hair on top of her head. An angelic princess, Morgan thought.

  “I knew she would take your breath away, Morgan, but I didn’t know you would be speechless,” Granny teased.

  Rose couldn’t take her eyes off of him. He looked so handsome in his black suit, and his white shirt emphasized his darkly tanned skin. In a few short minutes this wonderful man was going to be her husband. God had truly blessed her with a remarkable man.

  “You’re beautiful,” Morgan finally said as he walked to her. He didn’t think his words adequately described what he was thinking.

  “Thank you. You look very handsome in your suit.”

  Morgan took her hand. “Are you ready to get married?”

  “I am.” Rose put her arm through his, and they turned to the others in the room.

  “You are such a lovely couple,” Granny said with tears in her eyes.

  “Granny, just think of the great-grandbabies they will give you,” Clay said.

  Morgan brought Rose’s hand to his lips. “Let’s go.”

  They walked out the door to see the ranch hands were waiting for them. Morgan introduced the men to Clay. “Where’s Joseph?”

  “He’s waiting for us there,” Murph said. “You know Joseph. He wanted some time to talk to the Great Spirit.”

  “It’s a perfect day for a wedding,” Granny said, looking up at the vivid blue sky.

  It took them fifteen minutes to walk to Rose’s special spot in the pines. It was the most beautiful area on Morgan’s land, where Rose and her sisters spent a lot of time when they were young. It was a small clearing with a raised grassy plateau, and in the background the trees had grown to form an archway. The backdrop always reminded Rose of an altar, and she’d pretended to have a marriage ceremony. She’d never told her sisters, but when she was older, she’d often envisioned herself as the bride and Morgan LeMasters as the groom. Adelaide pretended she was standing on the platform in front of her classroom instructing children. Emma used the area as her stage, entertaining her audience of two: Rose and Adelaide.