She gathered the gold, half-filled a bucket, and threw plain rocks on top. Then she went at it again. Now that she had changed her plan, she needed the gold as quick as possible so they could leave and then go their own ways.
Finally, she had two buckets full. Where was Greg? He must be done pretending to examine the haul of rocks he’d taken outside. Shrugging she grabbed one bucket and headed up. There was Greg sitting on his bunk seemingly deep in thought. He hadn’t noticed her. That wasn’t like him.
She put the pail down and sat down next to him. “Did something happen? Did you get some bad news?”
He blinked a few times before he turned and gazed at her. “I guess I have a lot on my mind, and I want to talk to you about it. That is, if we’re even talking.”
Her stomach clenched. “Yes we can talk.” She took a deep breath and let it out slowly, waiting for him to start.
He took her hand and entwined their fingers. “I’m sorry as can be about my behavior last night. I was hurt, but drinking never solved anything. I understand you want to go your own way. You’ve been pretty independent your whole life, and you have no need for a husband. I just wish I had figured that out before I came to care for you. If you want to stay here, that’s fine, or I could help you get to wherever you plan to go. If you even want help, that is.”
He drew a shaky breath. “Glad stopped by, and he was at the saloon last night. He told me they plied me with whiskey in the hope that it would cause trouble between us or that maybe I’d sign our claims away. I’m not exactly sure what the plan was, but they threw Shelly at me too, and I didn’t take what was offered.”
He paused and looked outside. “We need—I need to know where I stand with you. I can’t keep hoping if there is no hope. You’ve said it before, we never consummated the marriage, so technically we could walk away from each other.”
Her body stiffened as her heart dropped. This was it. She wouldn’t need a plan, Greg would make sure she got to where she wanted to go. She could live alone. Only thing was…somehow it didn’t seem appealing anymore.
“Is that what you want?” she asked not wanting the answer.
“No.” His voice was very soft. “I don’t want to walk away, and I’m hoping you don’t either. What we have here is a once in a lifetime find. Do you agree?”
Did he mean their marriage or the gold? “Once in a lifetime, yes it is.” She glanced away. “Does this mean you want to stay together?”
“I think it’s best for both of us.”
She glanced back at him. Where was the declaration of love? Where were the sweet words?
“I have something for you.” He let go of her hand and fished in his pocket. He handed her a gold ring. “This is for you.”
“A wedding ring?” she asked cautiously. She didn’t want to read more into it than it was.
“Yes, Glad made it. Put it on, let’s see if it fits.”
She nodded. Greg wasn’t even smiling. She slid it onto her finger, and it was a good fit. “It’s beautiful, thank you. I didn’t know Glad was so talented. Did you ask him to make it?”
“Naw, he had it in his pocket, hoping his wife would come back but so far she hasn’t, so he thought I could use it to give to you.” He smiled. “He’s a good guy.”
She tried her hardest to smile, but she knew it must have looked fake. “Thank you. It’s a good thing he had one in his pocket.”
Greg nodded. “He knew you’d be upset about how many times Shelly tried to persuade me to go upstairs with her.”
She stood. “I’m going to see if Ima has any tea. Thank Glad for me.” She hurried down the hill, but she didn’t go into the cook tent. She followed the stream for a while. It must have been a beautiful place before the miners came. She found a big flat rock and sat on it. The feel of the warm sun was a comfort.
Was she too sensitive? Did she expect too much? If she understood Greg correctly, he didn’t ask for a ring, Glad offered him one to soften the fact that Shelly had spent her whole time with Greg. The ring was nice, and Glad had a talent. He was also the thoughtful one who seemed to care about her feelings. Or maybe not. Maybe he just wanted his friend, Greg to get into her good graces.
She didn’t know enough about men, but it seemed to her that Greg didn’t care as much as Glad did. At least Greg had a friend. The loneliness inside her was becoming unbearable. She hadn’t observed many marriages. Perhaps this was just the way of things, but she’d thought it would be different. She thought they’d grow to be close. She’d thought they’d be happy.
It was mortifying to know Greg hadn’t asked for the ring. He had probably never considered getting her one. So the ring was really from Glad, not her husband. Her hopes and expectations were too high. She needed to take them down to the very bottom, or she was going to spend her days being hurt.
Her pa had always talked about her mother with love in his voice and in his eyes. He’d missed her a great deal. And Mercy had always hoped… But it was time to grow up and put her childish hopes and dreams away. Greg was offering friendship, wasn’t he? He said he cared for her. She was too confused to really know what he wanted. She’d need him to get all the gold away from the mine. She jumped down off the rock and walked back. She just hoped her heart could take it.
Chapter Eight
Three Weeks Later
Greg looked around their living quarters and made sure they had all their belongings packed. The only light to look with was the firelight. Despite Mercy’s idea of leaving in broad daylight, they had decided to leave in the dead of night because it had seemed like Carl was paying them too much mind. It had been a long three weeks but they worked hard and they were ready to go.
With the help of Mac and Glad, they would get away, hopefully unnoticed. Greg had bought their wagon and loaded it a little at a time. Glad had driven it out for them as though heading to town to sell it, and he’d hidden it in a safe place for them to pick up on their way out. Greg and Mercy decided to give their claims to Mac and Glad to share. Once everything was explained, the two men were more than happy to help the couple get away.
Greg had asked just about everyone what San Francisco was like and how to get there. Mercy mentioned Texas all the time but also said that Greg had gold fever and she didn’t think they’d ever settle down.
Shoving his hat on, Greg left the mine. He walked a great distance to where Mercy and Mac waited. Glad was going to immediately take possession of the two claims. It was getting a bit chilly at night and he was glad he’d worn his coat and he’d made Mercy wear hers too.
Mercy… He smiled. She could be ornery a lot of the time, but he wouldn’t have chosen anyone else to have as a wife. He loved the way her eyes lit up when she was mad. Lately, she’d been plenty mad and he wasn’t sure why. Things would get better as soon as they settled on his pa’s property.
He found them all without difficulty, and when he got closer he could see the excitement dancing in Mercy’s eyes. He shook Mac’s hand and they quietly went on their way. It wasn’t always the wisest thing to ride at night, but they’d picked a night where the moon would be full. Mac was to ride his mule in a few different directions in the hope that no one would be able to pick up their trail.
Greg and Mercy rode in almost circles for a bit, then they found the hidden wagon and set out for Oregon. They rode slow and steady all night long, only stopping to rest the animals. The sun came up, and they picked up the pace until rain clouds blew in and landed them in the middle of a storm.
“Do you want to find cover?” he yelled over the wind.
Mercy shook her head. “No, we need to keep going. I don’t trust Carl not to come after us!” she called back.
Greg nodded. They’d be fine for the day but they’d need shelter and a fire in the evening. They’d be chilled through with wet clothes. They both scanned the area as they rode. They’d heard of bushwhackers and they didn’t intend to become their victims.
Mercy pulled the wagon to a stop and pointed at
a group of rocks. She nodded, and they both grabbed their rifles.
He motioned for her to hold the team as he slapped his horse’s hind flank. The riderless horse raced by the rocks. Three men stood up with their mouths open, looking around. But Greg had already slipped off into the woods and rounded until he was behind the men. Mercy kept behind the cover the wagon provided and waited.
“Looking for something?” Greg asked with his gun pointed at the men.
The youngest one pulled his gun and shot, missing Greg. Greg ducked behind a boulder and shot back. He heard a cry. Good, he’d gotten one. He figured they’d try to go around and get the jump on him. He waited and listened. The rain made it harder, but he was able to run and take cover before they began to shoot.
Splintered rock fell down on him. They were getting too close. Then he heard a rifle shot and saw one of the men fall all the way to the ground. The last man tried to run, but Greg shot him in the shoulder. He climbed to the man and took his gun.
There was a great amount of blood coming from the gunman’s shoulder. “Who sent you?”
The young man turned white and shook his head. “No one. We heard you coming and we hid is all.”
The man wasn’t a very good liar.
“I’m asking again. Who sent you?” Greg pressed down on the wound until the man screamed.”
“It was a man named Carl. I don’t know his last name. We’ve been waiting two days for you to come.”
“Any others that you know about?” Greg leaned over to press on the wound again.
“I’ll tell you anything mister, just stop hurting me. No others this way. He has a gang waiting for you on the San Francisco trail. He said we’d all split the gold. One of the men you shot is his brother in law. He won’t take kindly to that.”
“Hopefully, he won’t find us in Texas.”
“No Texas was a ruse. Carl figured you two out. Amateurs, he called you.”
“The joke is on him, we didn’t find much gold. We’re going to Texas to ranch.” Greg turned and walked away.
“Hey! You can’t leave me here!”
Greg kept walking. They’d best get more distance between them and Carl.
When he found Mercy, still holding the rifle, his heart swelled. His relief that she hadn’t a scratch on her weakened him for a moment.
“We’ll go on for a bit longer. We can shelter in the wagon, though it’ll be cramped.”
Mercy nodded and climbed onto the wagon. Greg’s horse had come back to him, and he climbed on. Soon enough they were in the dense woods.
“It’s so dark,” Mercy called out.
“We’d best walk the horses. We wouldn’t want them to step into any holes. Look for dry wood as we go. We’ll need it.”
She frequently pointed to fallen limb and dead branches, and he was impressed at how much wood she spotted. She smiled at him and gestured for him to look up. He smiled right back. She’d found a cave. They would be able to park the wagon next to the entrance, affording them a bit of extra cover.
“I’ll go first to make sure it’s clear of bears or wolves. It looks like we can walk up the slope on the other side of it.” She was a great partner and a big help.
Greg grabbed his rifle and hiked up to the cave. It was black as a moonless night inside. He listened and didn’t hear anything. Then he grabbed a match and lit it. It shed momentary light, and as far as he could see all was clear. He walked back down and led Mercy and the team hauling the wagon up the narrow path. It would be tricky getting back down, but it was doable.
He took care of the animals and saw that Mercy had made a roaring fire.
“I could have gotten to that,” he said. He put his hands on either side of her waist and leaned in. He kissed her, and somehow she left him breathless. She’d gotten the hang of kissing and then some. The firelight made her lips appear a bit swollen. Mercy looked like a woman made for loving.
***
Mercy turned from Greg and touched her lips. He made her whole body feel alive with just a kiss. She’d never heard of such a thing. Maybe he’d had a lot of practice. She walked to the fire and held her hands out to warm them.
“We’ll need to change into dry clothes,” he said.
She nodded. “I’ll get them for us both. It would be nice to feel dry and warm again. This weather makes travel uncomfortable.” She slipped to the back of the wagon and pulled bedding, clothing, and a towel from the old trunk that had always traveled with her and her pa. She grabbed a cooking pot on her way out. She handed Greg his. “I think it’s dark enough if I step out of the fire light. I’ll be right back.”
She took her time getting undressed. Next, she dried herself off with the towel. She saw Greg peek in her direction a time or two, but she was confident he couldn’t see her. It felt strange; she hardly ever stood anywhere entirely unclothed. But she could trust her husband, and that made her proud. He was a good man.
As soon as she was done she walked to the fire and relished the heat it gave. “Your turn.”
He took his clothes and grinned. “No looking, now.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it.” She rummaged through another bag and found a can of beans which she opened and poured into the pot. After she put it in some of the hot coals, she looked toward the back of the cave. Her jaw dropped.
Shaking her head she looked again. She could see every detail of his naked backside. Outrage grew inside her. The light made it farther than she had thought. When he’d peeked at her, he’d seen her in all her glory. Disappointment slammed through her. Her body was hers, and she planned to share it with him someday when they had their wedding night, not like this, with clandestine glances. Her face heated and she wasn’t sure what to do. The rain pounded down harder.
She grabbed her bedroll and laid it out by the fire. It was a bit damp, but the fire would take care of it. She lay down with her back to him and pulled the blanket up over her. Her hands clenched and unclenched and her body was stiff. She listened and knew he’d come to the fire and was probably staring at her right now. She’d been such a fool to think him to be admirable. He probably only wanted her along to help haul the gold.
She tried to harden her heart, but her uncertainty gave in to pain that went beyond her ability to do that. Didn’t she deserve respect? Had she done something to make him think that he could take advantage of her mistake? How could she have thought he wouldn’t be able to see her? She’d grown to trust him, but now she knew…she just couldn’t.
The rain continued to pelt the ground, and the lightning and thunder sounded closer. The storm’s fury matched the fury in her soul. As soon as she could, she was leaving. It wouldn’t be soon enough since the damage was already done.
“Mercy?”
She didn’t answer him. She didn’t know how to put into words how broken she felt. She’d go with her original plan of starting over somewhere. Having money had its benefits. It wouldn’t fix a broken heart, but she wouldn’t be left on the side of the trail with no means.
She drew a deep shuddering breath and slowly let it out. The odor of burned beans filled the cave. She didn’t care, let the pot be ruined. His shadow fell over her, and she quickly closed her eyes.
“Mercy, I know you’re awake. What has you so upset, my love?” He squatted down in front of her.
She opened her eyes and pushed him backward. “Don’t you dare call me your love. You treat me like some, some…strumpet. I know I’m not the ideal wife, and you’re probably having second thoughts as we get closer to your home, but I do expect to be treated with respect.”
His brow furrowed in confusion. “What are you talking about? Why would you think I’d consider you a strumpet?”
She sat up quickly. “I know you watched me when I got undressed. That’s not how you treat a good woman.” Once again her face heated.
He tilted his head and his frown disappeared. “I did look your way, and what I saw was so beautiful, I wanted to keep watching. I knew it wrong, and I turned away
, but I couldn’t help myself. I looked again and I looked my fill. You usually wear trousers and loose shirts, and to see your curves was pure joy. I’m sorry I upset you.” A tender smile played on his lips. “I saw you looking at me.”
“Yes I looked up, and that’s how I found out just how much you’d seen. Now I’m going to sleep. Good night.” She lay back down.
“It has been a long day.” He took the pot out of the fire.
The next thing she knew, he placed his bedroll next to hers and spooned her with his arm draped over her middle.
Mercy held herself stiff. The turmoil in her heart was too much. She lay very still until she heard his light snoring. Then she relaxed and had to admit that being in his arms felt nice. She knew nothing about how a marriage worked. There was no one to ask but Greg. She always dreamed of being loved and cherished, but those were little-girl dreams.
Hardening her heart wouldn’t work. It was as if he’d stolen her heart, but she felt the anguish of losing it. She’d have to hold on for at least another week. She couldn’t stop the pain of loving him, but she’d put as much distance between them as she could. Keeping to herself should be easy enough.
***
For two days they’d been heading toward Oregon, and Greg was at his wits’ end. Confound it! What was wrong with Mercy? She acted as though she hardly knew him. He’d thought they were getting closer than ever, and he’d hoped to have his wedding night. Had she changed her mind about being married?
She talked about living in town, when she did talk. It sounded like they wouldn’t have a life on the ranch. He’d planned to build them a house. He was good with horses. Well, better than good. He’d been one of the best on the ranch beside his brother Juan. And he wanted her to meet Smitty and Lynn, his adopted parents.
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