“Which way?” Smitty asked.
“I lost her, I think. She can handle herself outdoors.”
“Did you see any tracks at all?”
“Yes, before the woods, and then they vanished.” He shook his head, overcome by sadness. “She probably won’t come back with me anyway.”
Smitty stared at him. “I thought you two were married.”
“We were forced to get married, and we’ve been trying to find our way, but it never works out.” A sigh slipped out. “I haven’t even had my wedding night. She can be as prickly as a cactus.”
“Do you love her?”
“Yes, I do.”
Smitty sighed. “Does she know that?”
Greg shook his head. “I don’t know.” He swallowed hard.
Smitty turned his horse. “Put the gun away, and let’s go to the last point you saw tracks.”
Greg watched his pa ride off. He quickly put his gun in its holster and followed. When they got to the edge of the woods, Greg took the lead. He reined his horse in and jumped down.
Smitty was soon beside him. He squatted down and looked in all directions. “She went through the forest.” He cursed under his breath. “Women never go the easy way. She won’t get anywhere fast. She’ll need to lead her horse through the underbrush.”
The held their horses’ reins and walked into the woods.
“Pa, what difference does a dress make? Mercy is a kind woman, and she’s very hard working. She was worried about how she looked, but I assured her everyone would be nice.”
“Lynn said she grew up mining? The house and all the kids probably made her nervous, so any comments about what she was wearing were too much for her. Lynn said she’s beautiful.”
“That she is. And she has a kind heart. She knows everything about mining, and she taught me a lot. She saved my bacon more than once. She’s the type of woman I could build a life with. I wanted to build a house of our own here on the ranch.”
“Did she know your plans?”
He nodded. “We talked about it.”
Smitty stopped and listened. “She’s by the stream to the left. Go get your wife. You can live in my old house for now, and I’ll have Lynn leave a few dresses and woman things there for her. Take meals with us when you can. You have many new brothers and a sister you haven’t met. The house is near bursting and your ma and I have never been happier. Good luck. Oh, and Greg, I’m so glad you came home.” He turned his horse and headed for the house.
His pa’s words warmed him. He led his horse toward the creek. He made enough noise so Mercy wouldn’t get jumpy and shoot him if he snuck up on her. “Mercy, are you there?”
She didn’t answer, but he heard a sob and his heart squeezed. He walked faster, then let go of the reins. Her head was bowed as she sat on a fallen log near the creek. The horse was nearby, grazing. He sat next to her and she didn’t even glance at him. Greg put his hand under her chin and turned her face toward him.
Her red eyes had a look of defeat in them and he’d never seen Mercy look defeated. He caught a tear with his thumb, but he wasn’t able to keep up with the flood of tears that poured down her face. Immediately, he pulled her into his arms and held her tight as she sobbed against his shirt.
His whole being wanted to cry for the pain she was experiencing. He’d known she was nervous about meeting his family but he hadn’t realized how vulnerable she was. He’d like to take a paddle to his sisters, including the new one. Mia was her name? His ma was so kind and gentle. Why couldn’t they learn to be that way too?
He stroked her back and his gut hurt with every sob. Maybe they should have stayed at the mine. No, it was too dangerous. She was where she belonged, with him.
“Mercy, I’m so sorry. They’re young and didn’t mean to make you feel uncomfortable.”
She pulled away and blinked. “You were there. Didn’t you see the gleam in their eyes that accompanied their words? I don’t belong here. Your house is so big, and I’m nothing but a miner.”
“You are my wife. We’ll work through this.”
She shook her head. “What’s to work through? They looked at me and found me lacking. It doesn’t get any better from there. I want to go my own way. I should have stuck to my original plan.”
His heart dropped. “No.”
“What do you mean no? This is my life we’re talking about! I don’t plan to live it being ridiculed. I might look tough but sometimes my heart is too tender for its own good. I usually just chalk up insults to the ignorance of the miner who said it.”
He still had her in the circle of his arms, afraid to let go. She might make a run for it. “I need you. I want you here. You’re my wife.”
“Not really.”
“Yes, in every way that counts. I love you, Mercy Settler, and I’m not going to let you go. You’re an amazing woman, and I want you by my side building a future for us. We have a house to build, and I’m sure we’ll want a vegetable garden, and we can raise the best horses. I was also hoping we’d have a family of our own. You’d be a wonderful mother.”
“I don’t know the first thing about raising children. I’ll make a mess of it.” She turned her head and laid it on his shoulder. “We had our time together, and we got our gold. I’m going to go to one town and buy clothes and practice being a proper lady, and then I’m going to another town to live. I want to start over in a place where I feel wanted.”
“Have you heard a word I’ve been saying? I love you!”
She stiffened for a moment and then pulled away from him. Then she stared into his eyes. “You don’t mean that.”
“Mercy, I mean it from the depths of my soul.” He leaned in and kissed her. It was a sweet, tender kiss at first, but then it deepened and her body relaxed against him. She wrapped her arms around his neck pulling him as close as possible. Then she pushed him away, got up and mounted the horse again, and before he knew it, she was riding down the middle of the creek bed.
He watched her go, taking his heart with her. Tears filled his eyes as pain rushed through him. He’d given her his love, and she didn’t want it. A sense of grief overwhelmed him, and he wasn’t sure what to do next.
He sat on the log hoping with everything inside him that she’d come back, but as the sun began to go down, his hopes and dreams shattered. Finally he led his horse out of the dense woods and rode home.
His pa sat on the front porch in a rocking chair, probably one he’d made, smoking his pipe. Will took the horse and Greg walked up the porch steps. He slumped down into a chair and closed his eyes. He wished he could scream and yell until his hurt went away, but he didn’t think it would ever go away.
“She wouldn’t come back?” His pa’s voice was gentle and understanding.
“I told her I love her, and she left anyway. She didn’t think she could fit in here.” He shook his head. “Pa, we’re all a band of misfits, and you and Ma made us into a family. I knew she could be a bit prickly, but I didn’t realize how vulnerable she was. I’m not sure what I’ll do without her.”
“I’m sorry it played out that way, son. My offer to stay at my old cabin stands.”
His ma rushed out the front door and an expression of dismay crossed her face. “She left?”
Greg had such a lump in his throat, he couldn’t answer.
“Mercy went her own way. Greg will be using my old cabin for a while.” Smitty took Lynn’s hand and kissed the back of it.
“Let me get you a plate of food to take with you. I’ll have Juan bring your things to you. Greg, I’m so sorry. She seemed like a good match for you.”
Greg just nodded. He wasn’t hungry. He walked down the steps and to the cabin. Being alone would be better than dealing with all the questions he was sure his brothers and sisters would ask.
Chapter Ten
Mercy shivered, although she sat by a roaring fire. She’d be fine, just fine. Who needed a husband? Her eyes ached from crying. Why hadn’t she found out where the towns were located
before she stormed off? How stupid! She didn’t have any supplies, just a bit of gold. Gold wasn’t worth anything out in the wilderness.
Her pride still smarted from Greg’s sisters. For some reason, she thought since they were all orphans they’d be more welcoming. Lynn was nice, and she could tell that was where Greg got his kindness.
In the distance, she heard a bobcat growl. Her fire was plenty big to keep all the wild creatures away. And she had her gun but no bedroll. It had been almost impossible to tell what direction she’d been going in the dense woods. Perhaps she’d be able to see what direction the morning sunrise was. She probably needed to go east.
Drawing her legs up, she rested her head on her knees. Greg said he loved her. He wouldn’t lie about that. She was positive. It warmed her a bit, but it made her heart ache all the more. Sure, she could buy new clothes, but she didn’t know much beyond mining and the outdoors. Certainly nothing about being a wife or…a mother. Sighing loudly, she decided to get out of the woods tomorrow. Then she’d know in what direction she was going.
It was lonely without Greg. He’d been a real gentleman and he cared for her. She loved him too. She heard the bobcat again but it was still far away. She’d get no sleep that night.
It came down to her pride, and she shook her head. If she recalled her Bible correctly, it said, When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. There was another verse if she could only remember it. She sat up and stared into the flames. Where there is strife, there is pride, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.
She pondered the Bible verses for a while. She really hadn’t given Greg’s family a chance. There were so many of them, and she’d probably only met a few. Did it really matter what they thought? She was a good person, and she was willing to learn and take advice. Her pride had gotten in her way. Would Greg want her back?
He was probably hurting too. She never meant for him to say he loved her without her telling him she loved him back. She’d made so many mistakes. She could probably find her way back but then what? They needed to talk when she wasn’t crying. His family probably now thought even less of her for leaving.
She thought long and hard all night, and as the sun rose, she’d made her decision. She’d go back. She could barely make out in which direction the sun was rising but she could see enough. She could tell where the sky was lightening. She’d have to forget about her pride and listen to what Greg had to say with an open heart. It was the right thing to do.
She found the creek and followed it out of the woods and then mounted the horse. She rode in the direction of Greg’s home. Butterflies fluttered in her stomach as she rode. Eventually, the house was in sight, and she reined in the horse. Her hands shook a bit as she took a deep breath. What if he’d decided he didn’t want her anymore? She dug deep inside of herself and gathered her courage.
Pulling her hat down, she hoped her eyes wouldn’t look too puffy and red. The horse kept to a slow walk as she approached. There were many people in the yard doing various things, laundry, tending the garden, and snapping beans. There was no sign of Greg. Everything within her wanted to turn around, but Greg deserved better.
A large man with thick dark hair smiled widely at her. He walked to her and plucked her out of the saddle. He gave her a big hug. It was the type of hug that could heal one’s soul.
“Welcome home, Mercy. I’m Greg’s pa, Smitty. Everything will be fine,” he whispered in her ear as he held her.
He took the horse’s reins in one hand and her hand in the other, and they walked on by the big house. They came to a log cabin, and Smitty tied the horse to the hitching post. Then he turned to Mercy and gave her another hug. “I’m glad my son has you. Now go and knock on the door. Tell him Lynn will send food down so you two can have privacy for a few days.” He lightly squeezed her shoulder and walked away.
The door was her last barrier to Greg, and she needed to knock on it, but part of her was terrified to do so. She took a few steps, and the wooden door flew open. Greg stood there looking as though he’d not slept either. What does a person say in this situation?
“Mercy?” He held her gaze as he walked to her. Then he smiled and gathered her into his embrace, twirling her around until she laughed.
He put her down. “I thought I lost you. It was the worst night of my life, wondering if you were safe.”
She took a big breath and let it out. “Greg, I love you too, with all my heart and soul. I’m ashamed I didn’t tell you sooner.”
The love he felt reflected in his eyes.
“I don’t know if I’ll be a good wife to you. There is so much I don’t know about ranching.”
“I didn’t know anything about mining, yet you made a fine gold miner out of me. I can teach you anything you need to know. You’re smart, and you’re a hard worker.” His grin widened. “And you’re nice to look at.”
She swatted his arm. “I don’t look so good this morning.”
Greg took her hand and led her to the cabin’s doorway. He lifted her into his arms and carried her over the threshold. When he put her down, he gave her a kiss so tender she wanted to cry all over again. He led her to the bed, and her nerves began to get the better of her.
He kissed her again. It was a nice, long kiss. It felt as though he put his love in the kiss. He then sat her on the bed and took off her jacket and shoes. “There’s a clean night gown for you. You get some sleep.”
“You need sleep too.”
“I’ll come to bed in a bit. Don’t worry we can go slow. Right now we both need sleep.”
He was such a special man. She smiled and nodded. “I didn’t feel whole without you.”
Greg nodded. “Same here.” He closed the door behind him.
Taking off her hat, she then shook out her long tresses and picked up the nightgown. It was made of white muslin with a pink bow at the neck line. There was even a bit of lace around the sleeves. It was the prettiest thing she’d ever seen. She hurriedly undressed and put it on. It was so soft against her skin.
Next, she pulled back the quilt and there were sheets on the bed. She didn’t know the last time she’d slept between sheets. Eagerly, she hopped into bed and placed her head on the plump pillow.
After a moment, the bed jostled, and she realized that Greg was getting in next to her. He spooned behind her and put his arm around her waist. His light snore was soothing, and she soon fell asleep.
***
Greg propped himself up on his elbows and stared down at his sleeping wife. He thanked God for his good fortune. His heart near exploded, it was so full of love. He really hadn’t thought she was going to come back. He was admiring her long hair when her green eyes opened.
Her smile was one of a peaceful heart. It was so different from when she first got here. Reaching out, he stroked her hair and then caressed her cheek.
Mercy reached up and pulled his head down for a kiss. He was trying to figure out if they should consummate the marriage or wait, but the ardor of her kiss gave him the direction he needed.
“I’ll be gentle,” he murmured.
“I know you will and I want to be yours for all time.”
He kissed her neck and was delighted when she shivered. Then he helped her take her gown off. “You are beautiful, Mercy.” He laughed as her skin began to turn red.
She wrapped her arms around his neck, and he needed no more encouragement. He made her his wife as gently as he could.
When they were done, she stared at him as if in wonder. It had been so much better than he imagined.
“Are you all right?” he asked.
She nodded and grinned. “I’m more than all right, Greg. I’m your wife now, and it was beautiful.”
He kissed her again and settled on his back bringing her with him so she could lay her head on his chest. Once again they slept.
Epilogue
Tables were laden with an enormous amount of food. The Settlers and the Todds were all celebrating the new house
. With so many people, Greg figured the food would be gone soon and then the dancing would start. It was a noisy affair.
Greg held Mercy’s hand as they walked a bit and then gazed upon their completed house. So many people had helped build it. The best part was, Mercy had felt welcomed and part of the family now. No one else cared what she wore, but she now wore the ready-made dresses that Greg had bought for her. He’d take her to town in a few days so she could visit the new dressmaker there.
He’d given her a choice of what to wear, and she wanted dresses. She looked so beautiful and feminine in them. She’d amazed them all by climbing to the top of the house to help with the roof. She’d smiled when she saw the admiration in his sisters’ eyes.
He stared at her profile, his heart full of love. They had amassed a fortune in gold, but she still liked simple things. They could have ordered so many fancy things for the house, but she was a tin plate, flour-sack kind of woman. He’d offered money to his ma and pa, but they refused it. So, he’d set it aside. Who knew what would happen if they kept taking in more orphans? They’d need money to clothe them all.
“Next is the barn and corral?” Mercy asked.
“Yes, a strictly horse barn and the corral will be big enough to train horses. The best thing is Juan and I won’t step on Eli and Jed’s toes. The Calvary wants as many horses as we can provide.”
“You did this for Juan,” she remarked softly.
“Yes, I was afraid he’d leave and get himself in trouble. I don’t understand the tension between him and Eli and Jed. Especially Jed. They’ve known him since they joined our family. He was the leader of the wagon train we were on.”
“This way Carlos won’t run away trying to find his brother. You’re a good man Greg Settler.” Mercy smiled at him. She reached up and stroked his beard.
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