by Lily Graison
Grace stared at him, wondering why he felt the need to ask, then remembered Ben and his hired hands. School would be out in an hour or so but she’d be alone until Jesse returned. She didn’t expect Sarah to stay that long.
She nodded her head at him, trying to read the peculiar look on his face and smiled when he turned without another word, followed by one of the men. When the one standing closest to the sink approached the table and leaned down, kissing Sarah on the cheek, she noted the subtle differences in facial features from Holden and the length of his hair, and smiled at him when he straightened. “Colt, I presume.”
He held out his hand, took hers and gave it a gentle shake. “Pleasure meeting you, ma’am. I’ve heard a lot about you, most of which I’m sure isn’t true.” He smiled, tipped his hat at her and turned to the door. “We’ll be back before dark. You ladies have fun.”
Grace waited until the latch on the door clicked before looking back at Sarah. Her new friend was still sipping her coffee. She wanted to ask what Colt had heard but didn’t want to disrupt her small social gathering with talk that probably wouldn’t be pleasant.
She smiled at Sarah instead and asked, “You’ll be staying until they return?”
“No,” Sarah said, “And I hope you aren’t either.”
Something about the look in Sarah’s eyes reminded her of the one in Colt’s. Grace held back a sigh. She was about to learn something she didn’t want to. “What do you mean?”
Sarah nodded to Grace’s abandoned seat. “Today is our monthly sewing circle in town. I’ve come to invite you.”
“A sewing circle?” Grace sat back down.
“Yes. It’s usually held at Abigail’s house, she’s my sister-in-law, by the way, as her house is the biggest. We’re about to start a new blanket. Every lady in town will be there and I thought it would be a great way for you to meet everyone.”
Grace chewed her bottom lip as she contemplated her new friend. She had a pleasant smile on her face but that look still lingered in her eyes. She wasn’t telling her something.
Did it have anything to do with the other ladies in town? She’d only spoken to Mrs. Jenkins, the mercantile owner, and Ellie over at the stagecoach station. Neither had said anything about her living with Jesse and Rafe but then again, they’d never had reason to bring it up, but the other women in town might.
“The gossip is outlandish at the moment.” Sarah’s cheeks were tinted pink as she spoke. “You’d be shocked at what people are saying about you. If you want to put a stop to the rumors, Grace, it’s best to address them yourself.”
Grace sighed. Sarah was right. Letting people believe everything they heard would be disastrous. “Are they bad?”
Sarah’s cheeks turned red then. “Bad enough.”
“I see.” Grace exhaled a deep breath. She’d never been a coward and if she planned on living in Willow Creek with these people, it was time to set the record straight. “I’ll go change, if that’s all right?”
Sarah nodded her head before standing. “I’ll just tidy up our mess and we’ll leave when you’re ready.
“The water is barely trickling in.”
Rafe readjusted his hat, trying to keep the animosity out of his voice. “I was down there last week. The creek was flowing fine. I’m not sure why it would suddenly stop flowing.” He glanced toward Holden, wondering if the man was accusing him of cutting off the water supply to his ranch.
It was no secret to anyone around Willow Creek that the hostile feelings between the two men were still very much there. Rafe may have left ten years ago but he’d never gotten over Holden’s betrayal.
They’d been close friends once, but when Holden stole Maggie from him, it was an unforgivable act. He’d never forgive him for it. He didn’t trust him. Not now, not ever.
It was one of the reason’s he’d reacted so crazy when he caught Grace talking to him in the mercantile. Even though Holden was married to the school teacher now, Rafe’s over-active imagination had whispered that his old friend would turn Grace’s head. That she’d fall for his good looks, all that money he had, and just like before, he’d take the woman he wanted and not feel a bit sorry about doing it.
“Me either, but something has changed,” Holden said, still talking about the creek water.
They rode half the range, their conversation on the water feeding the Avery ranch. The creek had nearly dried to nothing according to Holden and since that same creek fed Rafe’s place, their ride out to see if the water was still flowing this far up was in order.
The main branch that fed their ranches was as big and wide as always, the water gurgling down past the rocks to make small waterfalls as it traveled downstream. They rode the creek bank, all three men watching the flow of water.
“Your cattle still missing?”
Rafe nodded at Colt’s question. “I’ve about forty head left at last count. At the rate Ben is taking them, I’ll barely have anything to live off of come spring.”
They rode in silence until they reached the spot he and Grace stopped at the week before. The memories that assaulted him were enough to cause his neck to heat. Knowing Ben and his men had seen Grace half clothed burned like fire through his veins. He wanted to kill the man just for looking at her.
“I hear there was trouble in town with your brother and Ben Crowley.”
Rafe looked to Holden when he spoke. It galled him to even speak to the man but he remained civil nonetheless. “There was.” He snorted. “Grace was offended and slapped the man. Jesse tried to defend her and it got out of hand.”
The two Avery men laughed and it only took seconds before Rafe followed suit.
Colt shook his head. “I know we shouldn’t laugh but Morgan said it was the funniest thing he’d seen in ages. He said, ‘Grace Kingston might look like a high society lady, but she fought like a street rat.’ Said she was stomping on Ben and beating him with a small parasol when he reached them.”
Rafe smiled and nodded. “That’s about the gist of it, I think. Or so that’s what they told me.”
“She still looking for a husband?”
Holden’s question drained all the mirth from Rafe’s body. He instantly became defensive. “No, she’s not, and I’d appreciate it if you wouldn’t go looking for someone to marry her.”
The silence that followed was deafening. Rafe slid the front of his hat up and sighed, then shook his head. “Damn woman has me acting like a loon.”
Holden and Colt both were looking at him, smiling, and Rafe knew they’d both probably been exactly where he is now. Wanting a woman so much but feeling stuck to do anything about it.
He’d been close to all the Avery’s at one time. They’d attended school together, chased after the same girls in town and drank one too many shots of rot gut whiskey in the saloon. They were the closest thing to friends he had, even though he hadn’t spoken more than ten words to any of them since returning home six months earlier.
There were so many things he wanted to know. Questions about Maggie he wanted to ask but wasn’t sure he had a right to.
He’d seen her daughter, Alexandra, in town and just the sight of her brought back memories. The girl looked like her mother, beautiful and full of life. Maggie dying after giving birth to her still pained him. She was much too young to die. He could only imagine how Holden had taken it. For all his anger at his one-time friend, he felt for him. Losing Maggie had to have been hell. Having to raise his daughter alone probably took its toll, too.
He blew out a breath and raised his hand, scratching at his jaw. “I think Grace is waiting for me to ask for her hand.”
“And you haven’t done so, why, exactly?” Holden asked.
Rafe readjusted his hat. “For one, Jesse will never agree.”
“What does Jesse have to do with it?”
Rafe explained how his brother had ordered a wife. How he’d lied in his letter and led Grace to believe he was a man who owned a large cattle ranch. She sold nearly everything she
had to make the trip out and once she found out the truth, had no choice but to stay. “She can’t marry Jesse.”
“Then why haven’t you asked her yet?
“It’s complicated.”
Holden raised an eyebrow at him. “How so?”
I’m not ready to let another woman break my heart, he thought. Two in one lifetime is more than any man should have to bear. “It just is,” he said. “Jesse hates me enough as it is. He still thinks Grace is going to marry him even though she’s told him otherwise and if he finds out I’ve asked Grace to marry me…” He shrugged a shoulder. “I don’t know what he’ll do.”
“Is that all there is too it?” Colt straightened and flexed his shoulders, turning his head to look at him. “I know its been years since we’ve talked Rafe, and it probably galls you to do so now, but we’re too old to be holding grudges.” He looked toward Holden who nodded his head. “I’m just going to ignore the trouble in the past and be damn blunt with you, old friend.” He grinned, the Avery charm shining through. “Grace is a good looking woman,” he said. “If you don’t ask for her hand, someone in town will and believe me when I say, a woman will do what is best for her every single time. If you want her, Rafe, you better let her know while you can still do something about it.”
Rafe wanted her all right but taking a chance like that again was terrifying. He did want Grace. Wanted her so much it was becoming a physical ache but what if she grew tired of him like Maggie and Katie had? What if when the new wore off their desire for each other, she realized he was nothing but an old ranch bum and left him.
He didn’t think his heart could handle that again. And the risk was too great to even contemplate. He knew as sure as the sun rose that Grace would leave him. Every woman he’d loved had.
They came to the fork in the creek and Rafe was glad for the distraction. Thinking of his past was too painful to dwell on so the matter at hand was a welcome diversion.
The creek branched off in two different directions here, one fork leading to the Avery ranch and the other to Ben Crowley’s place. The fork leading to the Avery’s was blocked. Tree branches and rocks, mud and leaves were packed across the length of the creek, damming it up tight.
Holden leaned forward, laying one arm on the saddle’s pommel. “Now how the hell do you suppose that happened?”
The three men stared at the dam for long minutes before they dismounted and walked to the creek bank, the Avery men jumping into the water and immediately started pulling the branches away. Rafe followed them in, not minding the water filling his boots. It took close to ten minutes to clear away all the debris but they got the water flowing again.
When they were back on dry land, they all three stood staring at the creek. Holden removed his hat and wiped his brow. “Who do you suppose did that?”
Rafe laughed. “One name comes to mind.”
Colt turned to look at him. “Ben?”
“Who else?”
“But why?”
Rafe shrugged. “Hard to say. Why is he taking my cattle when he already has a herd big enough for two ranches?”
Holden put his hat back on and crossed his arms over his chest. “Maybe its time we go find out.”
All three men looked at each other for long seconds before nodding and walking back to the horses. They still had plenty of daylight left and this creek led directly to Crowley land. They’d get to the bottom of this if it was the last thing they did.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Grace walked down the sidewalk in town to Abigail’s house, her gaze on the men working at the end of the street. The new doctor’s office was almost complete. The walls were up, the roof in place and the glass panes for the windows were being installed. It wouldn’t be long now.
She glanced at Sarah and said, “Is the new doctor in town yet?”
Sarah shook her head. “No. He’s expected any day now, though. I personally can’t wait until he’s here. I haven’t seen a doctor since moving to Willow Creek two years ago.”
Their conversation lasted until they reached Abigail’s door, where they were greeted by Mrs. Jenkins. She smiled at Grace, nodding her head at her while her cheeks turned pink. She was wearing one of the dresses Grace had sold her.
“You look beautiful, Mrs. Jenkins.”
The woman blushed clean to her hairline before looking away. “Thank you,” she said, running a hand down the green fabric. My Henry caught me admiring it and said I should keep it. I’ve never owned anything so fancy before though.”
Grace smiled. “Well, it looks like it was made for you.”
They entered the parlor where a petite blonde was setting a tray of small cakes and cookies on a table near the windows. She turned, smiled, and looked delighted to see them. “You brought her!”
“I told you I would,” Sarah said. “I don’t know why you doubted me.”
The woman crossed the room and reached for Grace’s hand, taking it in hers and holding it tightly. “It’s so nice to meet you, Grace. I’m Abigail Avery.”
“And your husband is…” Grace asked.
Abigail grinned. “Morgan. The marshal here in town.”
“I see,” Grace said. “So there’s three Avery men?”
“No. There’s four. Tristan is the youngest. His wife, Emmaline, was supposed to be here but I hear they have a little one that is sick so maybe you can meet her next month, if you decide to join us again.”
More ladies began to filter in. Margaret Talbert and her teenage daughter, Miranda, along with Flora Brighton, the hotel owners new wife.
When Laurel Avery, Willow Creek’s school teacher and wife to Holden Avery walked into the room, everyone took a seat, their fabric swatches pulled from bags and baskets and they spent the next ten minutes discussing the plans for their new blanket.
Grace had never participated in a sewing circle but knew enough about them to wish she’d had extra material to contribute. She smiled at Sarah when she handed her a few of her own swatches. She’d carefully trimmed them to size and matched them with like colors.
The sewing was done while the gossip circled the room. Grace realized Sarah had been right. The way the women of the circle talked, their favorite past time was speculating on those in the community.
Margaret Talbert leaned forward, her voice pitched low as she said, “Fergus McDonald over at the telegraph office said Edna and Bert Pierce got a telegraph all the way from New York City. Seems their son may be headed back this way.”
Abigail looked up. “Morgan will love to hear that. There’s been bad blood between him and the Pierces ever since Morgan got the appointment to be the marshal instead of Layton.” She glanced at Grace. “Layton is Edna and Bert’s son.”
Grace nodded as Abigail began to speak again but her words were cut short when a heavy-set woman barged into the house. She stopped in the doorway, the straw hat on her head covered in flowers and bows.
“You started without me?” she accused. She gave Abigail a disapproving look and shook her head. “Did Caleb not tell you I’d be here?”
Abigail smiled but Grace could tell it was strained. “I’m sorry, but I haven’t seen him.”
The woman was portly, loud, and seemed to suck the air from the room. Grace stared at her as she huffed out a breath while taking off her shawl and hat, hanging it on a nearby coat tree.
“That boy can’t be trusted to do anything,” she said. “Why Percy lets him handle things at the livery stable alone is beyond my reckoning.” She walked across the room to the chair beside Grace’s own but stopped before sitting. She leaned her head to one side, staring at Grace as a sarcastic smile lit her face. “So this is her, is it?”
Grace glanced at everyone in the room before turning back to the woman towering over her. “Grace Kingston,” she said. “And you are?”
The woman raised an eyebrow. “Edna Pierce.” She straightened her spine and lifted her head a fraction. “I’m a member of the Willow Creek town council and know everyone in thi
s town. You, I know nothing about other than you came to be married and ended up living, unmarried, with Rafe Samuels and his brother.”
Grace felt her face heat and didn’t dare glance around the room. She knew every eye was on her. She could feel their stares and cleared her throat before straightening her own spine. “I’m very well aware of how the situation appears, Mrs. Pierce…”
“Do you?” Edna blurted. “Because the things I’ve heard.” She made a “tsking” sound and shook her head.
Grace could only imagine. With Ben and his men catching her with Rafe the week before, she didn’t have to guess what Edna had heard. Rafe’s fears were probably a reality now. The town, or at least Edna, thought the worst of her.
She owed none of them an explanation but felt it was necessary. She would be spending her life in this town, she hoped, and making friends with these women would make life much easier.
Looking around the room, she met the eye of every woman there before telling them the circumstances leading to her arrival in Willow Creek. There were sympathetic nods in her direction and a few laughs when she told them of her excitement in seeing Rafe, her handsome bridegroom, only to be told he wasn’t to be her husband. That honor went to a fourteen year old boy instead.
Her decision to go home with them was understood and no one blamed her for it. No one but Edna, that is. The woman still stood in front of her with a disapproving look in her face.
“That’s the problem with you young women nowadays,” Edna said. “You get these idea’s into your heads, take off into territory’s alone, and think you can be master of your own destiny.” She finally sat, huffing out a breath as she did. “You’re always looking for something different. An adventure,” she said, rolling her eyes. “Why can’t you just settle down with a nice boy where you live and have some babies. Be content in life.”
Grace looked Edna in the eye and folded her hands into her lap. “You may be happy with settling in life, Mrs. Pierce, but I’ll not stand by and take what others think I should have. I’ll carve out my own future, thank you very much.”