Stranger's Bride

by Denise Hunter

  “Careful, Sara, don’t get yourself bit,” Hetty said.

  Sara stooped down and extended her hand. The coal-colored animal paused to sniff it, then nuzzled his face in her hand. His dry nose was coated with dust.

  Sara laughed. “Look, he likes me!”

  “He surely does. Poor, wretched creature. Someone must have turned him out weeks ago, by the look of it.” Hetty reached in the saddlebag and drew out two slices of bread. Gus handed them down to Sara.

  “Here you go, boy,” Sara said. The dog devoured the treat. “Mercy, you are a hungry one, huh, fella?” Sara caressed the dusty fur coat and murmured sweet words in the animal’s ear.

  Moments later, this was how Nathan found them as he exited the hotel. Nathan stopped beside the dog. “What’s going on?”

  Sara popped up to her feet, her eyes wide with caution. “I, um. . .I was just giving the dog a bite to eat. He was famished.”

  Nathan began to load the bags into the carriage, and his ambivalence bolstered Sara’s courage.

  “Nathan?”

  “What is it?”

  “Could I. . .that is, do you think it would be possible to take him back to the ranch? The dog, I mean. He’s so bony, and someone clearly must have abandoned him.”

  Nathan turned his head away and squinted his eyes as he mulled over Sara’s appeal.

  His hesitation gave her renewed hope. “He won’t be any problem, I promise you. I will take full responsibility for him.”

  Nathan turned suddenly, his face hard and forbidding, and advanced on her. She retreated, nearly tripping in the process, her heart thudding in the cavity of her chest.

  But he stopped when he reached the wary animal. Crouching down, he offered his hand to the dog, then, having gained its approval, Nathan gathered the dog in his arms and set him on the floor of the carriage.

  Sara watched in stunned silence. For a moment she’d thought she’d pushed him beyond his level of tolerance by asking a favor of him. But instead, he’d acceded to her request. What a confusing man he was. She wondered if she’d ever figure him out.

  Hetty leaned forward to pet the attention-starved dog as Nathan turned to give Sara a hand up. Her features were earnest and bewildered as she spoke. “Thank you, Nathan.”

  He helped her up. “Just see to it he’s taken care of,” he muttered, and pulled the brim of his hat down low as he walked around the carriage.

  six

  They headed eastward, leaving Wichita and setting off for Cedar Springs. Once they left the city, they passed farms and ranches, which gradually were spaced farther apart. A good ways out of town there was only an occasional sod hut to betray the presence of human life.

  Green hills rose majestically in the distance, and trees were scattered about as though someone had dropped the seeds at random. Recent rain had made the grasslands spring-green, and periodically they saw cattle dotting the landscape.

  Sara knew she would have no trouble adapting to life in Kansas. At the moment, Boston seemed like another lifetime, and she was happy to have it remain so.

  During the long ride, Hetty told Sara about Cedar Springs and the ranch. Their town sounded quaint. It boasted a mill, church, post office, grocery, feed and seed, and carriage works. Roughly two hundred people had settled the area surrounding the town—mostly farmers and ranchers. Cedar Springs was a mere ten-minute ride from the ranch.

  Hetty told her about various people, too, most of whom attended church with them. The names all blended together in Sara’s mind, but she was sure she would soon put faces and names together.

  The dog was curled up at Sara’s feet, undisturbed by the jostling wagon. Sara reached down to stroke the dull black fur.

  “What are you gonna call him, Sara?” Hetty asked from the backseat.

  “I don’t know just yet. Do you have any ideas?”

  Gus laughed. “Oughta name him ‘Bones.’ I can count his ribs just by lookin’ at him.”

  Hetty gave him a sideways glance. “You’re a fine one to talk, Gus Fenton! Besides, by the time me and Sara fatten him up, ‘Pudgy’ might be more fittin’!”

  The three of them laughed and carried on, making up names, each more silly than the one before it. By the time they were done, Sara decided on plain “Blackie.” Once she washed the filth from his coat, it would be ink black, she knew.

  His nose was resting on the top of her boot, and his eyes were closed in the sleep of the secure. She’d never had a pet before and relished the idea of having something to take care of—something to depend on her, to love her. He would keep her company and fill the void that her marriage left.

  She’d hoped for a normal marriage. Not a love match, of course, but a partnership based on friendship and respect. It wasn’t to be, however. Judging by Nathan’s reaction to her, this was to be a marriage in name only. A man didn’t want to fulfill his fleshly desires with a woman he found repulsive. Her face heated with embarrassment at the wicked thought. She could be thankful for that, she supposed.

  Hetty’s next words were so similar to her thoughts that she wondered if her rosy cheeks had given them away.

  “I fixed up Nathan’s old room for you, Sara. He moved into his Daddy’s room several days ago to make room for you. There’s another room as well, but it was meant to be a nursery, and it’s small as a squirrel’s nest.”

  “You didn’t have to go to all that trouble. I’m accustomed to a small room.”

  “Wasn’t no trouble at all. Anyway, it would be a waste to have that big room sit empty.” Hetty pointed to a barbed-wire fence. “See that fence? That’s the western border of the ranch. Just a little ways to go.”

  They drove on, around a bend and down a hill. Nathan turned right onto a rutted drive. The wooden sign above the drive read “McClain Ranch” in white letters. About a hundred yards to the left of the drive a creek swept by. In the same direction, beyond the creek, was a high ridge of hills, covered in bluestem grass and stippled with grazing cattle. There were trees scattered throughout, and along the creek bank, willows and cottonwood were thriving. Off to the right was a band of prairie grass, spreading across two hundred yards or so, then another chain of hills.

  Sara could see the house and barns off in the distance. They lay nestled, like a sleeping baby, between the two hilly ridges.

  “Sure is good to be home,” Hetty said. “That hotel was right fancy, but there’s nothin’ like your own bed and your own kitchen!”

  Moments later they climbed wearily from the carriage and stretched their stiff limbs. Sara’s backside ached from being jostled on the wood seat. Blackie bounced down with renewed energy and raised his nose skyward, smelling the air with acute interest. They left him to his exploring and went into the white two-story house.

  It was much larger and tidier than Sara’s house in Boston. Handwoven rugs were carefully arranged on the polished wood floor. The main room was to the left and was sprinkled with a hodgepodge of comfortable-looking furniture. A stone fireplace dominated the far wall. Straight ahead, a hand-carved banister flanked the stairs leading to the second story. The dining room, to the right, featured a wooden table and chairs. Beyond the dining area was a door that she presumed led to the kitchen. Directly to the right of the staircase, along the far wall, was another door, which Sara hoped was a water closet!

  The heat of the sun filtered in through white eyelet curtains, making the house warm and bright.

  “You have a lovely home, Nathan. Have you always lived here?”

  “Yeah. My dad and granddad built it. Excuse me, I need to go change and check on the livestock.” Nathan disappeared up the stairs.

  “I’ll meet you at the barn,” Gus called.

  After they left, Hetty turned to Sara. “So tell me, dear. . .how do you like the McClain ranch? Do you find it agreeable?”

  “It’s more than agreeable! The ho
use is so spacious and cozy. And the land! Hilly and green. . .wide-open space.” Her face was animated with undisguised excitement.

  Hetty cocked an eyebrow. “So, you don’t think you’ll mind livin’ so far away from the city?”

  “I’ve been longing to get away from the city for as long as I’ve lived there. This is like heaven to me.”

  “Well, I wouldn’t go that far! After all, the Bible says in 1 Corinthians 2:9, ‘Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.’ ”

  “Um, that’s right. Would you mind terribly if I rested for a while? I’m afraid I didn’t sleep well on the train, and I’m exhausted.”

  “You don’t have to ask. This is your house now! Let me show you where your room is.”

  At the top of the stairs they turned right.

  “Nathan’s room is on the other side of the stairs.” Hetty opened Sara’s door. “Here we are.”

  Gauzy yellow curtains draped the window on the far wall. A bureau stood against the left wall, and across from it was a small, high bed covered with a colorful quilt. A large oval rug stretched over the plank floor. It was clean and welcoming, and Sara immediately felt at home.

  Sara set her bag by the bureau. “Hetty, would you mind putting out some food and water for Blackie?”

  “I’ll do it right now. You have a good rest. Supper’s at 6:00. Oh! I hope you don’t mind, Sara, but I mentioned the idea of a little bridal shower to a few of the ladies at church. I was thinkin’ of havin’ it here, maybe next Saturday?”

  “Oh. That’s very thoughtful, Hetty. Thank you. I’m sure next Saturday would be just fine.”

  After Hetty left, Sara slipped out of her ivory gown and hung it carefully on a peg. Pulling back the quilt, she climbed into the bed and curled up under the covers. The bed and room were new to her, but she was sure this would feel like home soon enough.

  Sara nervously chewed at her lip as she lay waiting for her mind to settle. It was generous of Hetty to plan a shower for her, but she really wished she didn’t have to go through with it. She had never been one to like being the center of attention. Particularly when all the guests were strangers to her. Well, there was nothing to be done about it now.

  Sara woke in time to help Hetty with supper. Nathan and Gus had spent the afternoon working outside. Their neighbors, Luke and Caleb, had watched over the ranch in their absence.

  At 6:00, the men came in just as the food was being placed on the table, and they took their seats. Nathan was at the head of the table, Hetty and Gus to his left, and Sara to his right. The food was tasty and the company delightful—except for Nathan, who kept mostly to himself.

  Sara dreaded the time when Gus and Hetty would retire to their home, leaving her alone with Nathan. He’d been avoiding her since their initial meeting, and she didn’t want to irritate him with her presence. She felt it would be rude, however, to excuse herself and hide away in her room, especially since she’d spent the afternoon there. Perhaps Hetty and Gus would keep them company for a while.

  When they’d taken their last bites and conversation had petered out, she and Hetty cleared the table and washed the dishes. Hetty hung the towel to dry when they finished. “You ready, Gus?” she called.

  “Anytime you are, darlin’.”

  “We’ll see ya in the mornin’, Sara. We leave for church at half past eight, but I’ll be over to start breakfast at seven.”

  “All right, Hetty. I’ll see you then.”

  “Night.” Nathan sank into the fireside chair and opened a newspaper.

  As they left, Sara caught sight of Blackie on the porch, and an idea took form in her mind.

  “Nathan,” she said timidly.

  “Hmm?”

  “I, um. . .if I give Blackie a bath, would it be all right to bring him into the house? At night, I mean?”

  “It’s your house, too. Do what you like.”

  Relieved to have something to do, Sara went to collect the tin tub she’d seen under the kitchen shelves. She hauled the container and soap to the yard and pumped water into it. Dusk was descending upon the valley, and streaks of pink smeared the horizon.

  Blackie scampered around her, oblivious to the inevitable moment when he would be submerged in the cool water.

  “Come here, Blackie.” She awkwardly scooped him into her arms and deposited him in the tub. His paws had no sooner touched the water than he was jumping to get out.

  “Whoa, boy!” Sara grabbed the sopping wet dog just as he started to leap, and held him. “Now, I know this isn’t going to be any fun for you, but you’re a filthy dirty doggie, and if you want to come in the house tonight, you must cooperate. That’s it.” She continued to hold him while she ran the soap across his back. “There now. That’s not so bad, is it?”

  She leaned back to put the soap down, and Blackie came leaping out of the tub in a spray of cold water. He shook himself, his sodden fur flinging drops of water all over her already-wet dress. “Oh! You naughty dog!”

  She dove for him, and missed, as he scooted away. Finally she captured him and dumped him in the water. For the remainder of the bath she maintained a tight hold on the dog. The sun was down and darkness had descended by the time they went into the house, both of them wet and tired.

  ❧

  Nathan turned the page of the Wichita Eagle, then sat back and scanned it with weary eyes. It had been quite a day. He was glad Hetty and Sara were getting on so well. They would be good company for each other. Thank goodness for Hetty and Gus. He couldn’t imagine trying to pull this off without them. Just having their conversation at suppertime was a distraction worth the cost of their salaries.

  After supper was another matter altogether. It would be odd having someone around in the evening when he was used to quiet and solitude. Of course, she wasn’t really around tonight; she was outside. Clearly she preferred the dog’s company to his—not that he could blame her, given the way he’d been behaving. This was the way it was supposed to work anyhow. She’d keep to herself, and he’d keep to himself.

  He realized he’d been staring blankly at the paper, so he tossed it on the floor. He ambled over to the window and peered through the curtains to see how Sara was doing with the dog.

  The corner of Nathan’s mouth lifted as he saw her struggling to put the dog into the tub. That furball might be skin and bones, but he was twice Sara’s size. He tried to leap out when she plopped him into the water. Nathan’s lips formed a full grin when she seized the dog in a hug. She appeared to be reasoning with him and must have thought she convinced him to stay in the tub, for she leaned away from him.

  The dog came bounding out of the water with a splash, giving Sara a bath in the process. Nathan chuckled. Appar-ently she’d never given a dog a bath before. At least not one as reluctant to be bathed as that one. When she dove for the sopping mutt and landed flat in the dirt, Nathan roared with laughter.

  He knew he should help her, and he’d just started to move away from the window when she captured the dog and deposited him back in the water. Nathan had a feeling she wouldn’t be letting go of him anytime soon.

  Shaking his head, he made his way to his room. She sure had some spunk for such a tiny thing.

  seven

  Sara woke to the slam of the door. It was Pete, she knew. Please don’t let him come in here. She wished once again for a lock on her door and momentarily thought of shoving the chest against the door. Remembering the one time she’d tried it before kept her on the bed.

  She curled up, tucking the covers beneath her chin, and waited. Soon she heard the thumping of his feet as he ascended to the second floor. There were eight steps, and she counted his footfalls, mentally measuring his progress. He stumbled on the seventh step and banged heavily against the wall. A crashing noise followed, and Sara knew it was her mothe
r’s portrait falling down the stairs.

  There was a moment of silence as Pete recovered his balance at the top of the stairs.

  Turn right. . .just this once!

  Sara breathed in quiet, shallow breaths and kept perfectly still. Maybe if he thinks I’m asleep. . .

  But it was not to be. She heard him coming toward her door and squeezed her eyes shut. The door crashed open and ricocheted off the wall. Instinct spurred Sara into action and she scrambled across the bed to the far corner of the room. Moonlight glowed through the tattered cotton drapes, casting sinister shadows on Pete’s horrid face.

  She crouched in the corner and buried her head against the peeling wallpaper.

  Pete’s stumbling footsteps echoed through the room. Sara heard whimpering and knew it was her own.

  His brutal hands grabbed her hair and yanked her upward.

  “Please. . .no. . .no!”

  Sara jerked awake. Her heart throbbed madly and she looked around the blackened room. Where was she? Where was Pete? Slowly the vague shapes of furniture came into focus.

  She was at the ranch. Sara sagged with relief. Hetty, Gus, Nathan. The ranch. Her eyes searched the floor and she spotted Blackie’s sleeping form huddled on the carpet beside her bed. At least she hadn’t awakened anyone with screaming.

  Wiping her damp forehead, Sara turned on her side and tried to slow her breathing. She was safe enough. There was a lock on her door here, and she knew enough to use it! Pete was far away and couldn’t hurt her now. She repeated the thought over and over until she drifted off to sleep.

  ❧

  Sara rose at dawn the following morning, feeling the groggy remnants of last night’s dream. Staying in bed was tempting, but she wanted to ready herself for church, then get breakfast started before Hetty came.

  She donned her new russet gown, which Hetty had persuaded her to buy. Sara thought she looked like a weed regardless of what she wore, but Hetty said the dress showed off her slim figure.