"And then there's the complete lack of true faith," Noah went on. "Sure, some folks attend church on a Sunday. But that's so they can be seen. So people can think they're good people." Noah leaned back, resting his hands on the bench. "But, if you look in their eyes, you can see the coldness. The lack of charity." He turned and gazed at Abigail. "The lack of love."
At the mention of that word, Abigail's heart thudded. She dragged in a sharp breath. "The only folks who attend church here are true believers. Devout folk."
Noah smiled. "From what I've seen of the town, that doesn't surprise me."
"Why don't you come this Sunday," she suggested. "Our whole family will be there. As well as all my relatives. We'll make you feel real welcome."
"I don't doubt it," Noah replied. He gazed out beyond the creek at the distant hillside. "I've got plenty I want to thank Him for. And plenty I need to pray for, too."
"God will provide, Noah," Abigail said. "As long as you keep your faith strong."
"It's stronger than ever now, Abigail," he replied. "I've never felt it stronger. He led me out here. Took me away from all the darkness. Saved me from being drawn into a life I had no business being in."
"Was it that bad, Noah?" Abigail asked.
He frowned. "Now that I look back on it, worse than you can imagine." He peered into her eyes. "You don't want any part of that kind of life, Abigail. Take it from me. I know what I'm talking about."
Abigail squinted at Noah. "What makes you think I want that kind of life for myself?"
"You said you wanted to try and find a place in society," Noah replied tilting his head and looking inquiringly at her. "Here, or somewhere else. You told me so yourself."
Abigail thought for a few moments. She recalled telling him about her involvement in the Benevolent Society. "That's different. We just try to help people. Newcomers like you. And other folks in need."
His brows shot up. "You thought I was in need?" His voice rose with apparent incredulity.
"I didn't say that," Abigail replied. "I only meant you were a newcomer and you didn't know your way around a ranch. Lydia figured you'd benefit from some assistance."
Noah straightened and turned to face Abigail. "Lydia suggested you help me?"
Abigail felt heat flush her face. "That's not what I meant. You're our neighbor. We would have helped you, anyway."
He frowned and turned his head away from her. "That's good to know," he said, sounding sarcastic. Abigail felt butterflies tumbling in her middle. He'd taken what she'd said completely the wrong way.
Noah stood and took a few paces in front of Abigail. Hands held at his back, he paused and peered down at her. "So I was the subject of that meeting you were going to the morning I met you outside the hotel," he stated in a measured tone.
"No," Abigail objected. "Well, actually, yes. You were."
Noah lifted his chin and then nodded thoughtfully. "You were making a plan to come to the assistance of the poor, unfortunate outsider who clearly didn't have a clue what he was letting himself in for." Noah's brows lifted as he peered at Abigail. "Is that it?"
Abigail stood and faced Noah. "No. That's not how it was, Noah."
She saw his features color red. Abigail sensed she had touched a raw nerve with him. Did he think she was trying to undermine him? Treat him with disrespect? Or did he think she was only trying to interfere in his life? Whatever he was thinking, he was clearly upset he'd been the object of interest for the Benevolent Society.
"Here I was thinking you only had my interests at heart," Noah said. "When all along, it seems I was just another subject for your attempts at creating a little society charity."
Abigail felt a growing horror. She saw how upset he was, and desperately wanted to clear up this unnecessary misunderstanding. "Noah, you don't understand," she said reaching out to him.
He turned away from her and walked to the edge of the creek. She followed him, wondering what she could say to make him understand. He had his back to her, his broad shoulders held straight. Maybe she'd hurt his pride, she told herself.
Abigail went in front of Noah, standing with her back to the creek. Her feet were balanced on the edge, but she wanted to look into his eyes. She had something to say, and she wanted to look him in the eyes when she said it.
Noah's gaze was steady. Abigail's stomach sank when she saw the coldness in his gaze. This hadn't gone well at all, she told herself.
Abigail reached out a hand, intending to touch Noah on the arm. But, as she did so, she felt herself slip backwards. Her feet did a quick shuffle as she tried to regain her footing, but it was too late. She saw Noah's eyes widen as she circled her arms, trying to stop herself from tumbling away from him. Noah reached out both hands and tried to seize her before she fell. But it was too late.
Everything spun wildly for a moment, a dizzying sensation that made Abigail yell out Noah's name. And then, with a resounding splash she fell into the water.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Noah peered in disbelief as Abigail tumbled backwards straight into the creek. She screamed out his name as he strained his arms toward her. But, she was already too far from him. He heard a splash of water and then he saw her sink into the shallows by the edge of the creek.
Noah leaped forward, landing in the creek, his boots sinking into the water. Luckily, the shallows at the creek's edge were only a couple of feet deep. But it was enough to engulf Abigail, soaking her from head to toe. He heard her cry out again as the water swept across her head, soaking her hair. She was drenched.
Abigail flailed her arms, and tried to lift herself out of the water, but she only succeeded in slipping even deeper into the creek. Noah bent down quickly and scooped Abigail up in his arms, lifting her up and out of the water. The water was freezing cold, sending chills up Noah's arms. He couldn't imagine how unpleasant this must feel to Abigail. Rivulets ran down the length of her gown, covering Noah as he rose toward the river's bank. All he wanted was to get Abigail out of the water as quickly as possible.
Abigail gasped as he lifted her up. For the moment, all considerations of propriety had been abandoned. He had to get her safe. He strained against the creek's grass-covered bank, almost slipping. He grunted, forcing himself upwards. Abigail threw her arms around his shoulders. He didn't care one bit he was as soaked as her.
Finally, after one last push, Noah managed to make it up onto the flat river's edge. He gently placed Abigail down onto her feet. Fearful lest she give him a piece of her mind, he paused before saying anything. She was dripping wet and there was clear fury in her eyes.
"Abigail!" he gasped. "Are you okay?"
She looked like a soaking wet rag doll. Glancing down at herself, she moaned. "Of course I'm not okay," she snapped. She swept both hands away from her side, waving them with frustration. Water drops landed on him.
He didn't have a blanket, or anything he could use to cover her. "I don't know how that happened," he complained.
"It was my fault," Abigail responded. "I should have been more careful." She glared at the creek. "That sure is cold water," she said and shivered. She wrapped her arms around herself and stared at Noah. He could see the disbelief in her eyes. And, maybe she was wondering what he was going to do to help her.
"We need to get you back to the ranch," Noah declared. "Immediately."
If she didn't get cleaned up, and soon, she'd run the risk of getting a chill. That wasn't going to happen, he told himself firmly.
"Come on, Abigail," he said. He advanced toward her, intending to wrap his arm around her shoulder. But one stern look from her made him freeze in his tracks.
Abigail strode away from Noah, heading for Rebel. Noah followed her. She lifted herself up onto the horse. Noah stood alongside Rebel for a moment, checking on Abigail. He saw her shiver again. "You're stopping at my ranch. Mrs Lucas will still be there. She can help you."
Abigail frowned. "Help me do what? I should get back to my family's ranch," she declared.
Noah nodded. "It's too far. You're too wet for such a long journey. You need to dry yourself before you do that."
Abigail glared down at him. "At your ranch?"
Ignoring her protest, Noah leaped up onto his mustang's saddle. Gripping the reins. "No arguing, Abigail. You know what I'm saying is the only thing that makes sense."
He twisted the reins and pointed his horse back in the direction of the ranch. "I don't want to hear another word," he stated firmly. "Right? This happened on my land. You're my responsibility. And I aim to do what needs to be done. And that means taking care of you." He narrowed his eyes. "Okay?"
Tight-lipped, Abigail took hold of Rebel's reins and started to follow Noah. Leaving the forested area, they rode quickly across the rangeland. They made it back to his ranch in double-quick time. Abigail not saying a word to him throughout the entire ride caused something hard and heavy to settle in the pit of Noah's stomach. He knew he'd done something wrong. Knew he'd acted like a fool. Pride had seized him. Just like always. Made him act inappropriately toward Abigail.
And the knowledge he'd done that to her, really hurt. She shouldn't have been at the water's edge. Wouldn't have been if he'd acted like a gentleman. If he'd listened to her without getting all hot and bothered. So what if people wanted to get involved in his private life. Things were different out here. This was never going to be anything like Philadelphia society. Hadn't he convinced himself Inspiration was a fresh start? That everything was different here?
But the pride had welled up in him. Like a delicate trigger needing only the slightest pressure. Seemed like some habits were almost impossible to break, he told himself. Was he still giving into the temptation to think himself too good for some folks. Like Abigail? That thought made his jaw tighten. How could he be such a fool?
Before they reached the ranch he offered up a prayer to God, asking for guidance. Asking for the strength to amend his ways. To get rid of the awful pride which still plagued him. Because he knew he wasn't going to be able to do that himself. Weak as he was, Noah understood that, without God's help, he could do nothing. Except mess things up, it seemed, he reflected.
Pulling to a halt in the yard in front of the house, Noah raced across to Abigail's mount and reached up. To his surprise, she let him carry her down off Rebel.
He rested an arm across her shoulder. He and Abigail were both soaking wet. But she was in worse shape than he was. She'd taken a full dipping. Her hair was plastered to her head. Whatever emotion had taken hold of her when he'd lifted her out of the creek had faded. Now she just looked eager to fix herself up.
Noah saw a light and movement through the kitchen window. Luckily Mr and Mrs Lucas hadn't left for Inspiration, yet. The front door flew open as he and stepped up onto the porch.
Mrs Lucas raced out, her eyes wide with concern. "What happened?"
"Time for explanation later, Mrs Lucas," Noah said releasing Abigail. "Can you do something to help Abigail?"
Mrs Lucas extended her arms. Abigail almost fell into the woman's embrace. "Come here, child," Mrs Lucas intoned. "Come inside and we'll deal with all of this."
Mrs Lucas glared at Noah, almost as if she'd already decided this was his fault. Noah opened his mouth, explanation suddenly on the tip of his tongue, but the shaking of Mrs Lucas' head was enough to change his mind about saying anything.
He watched as Mrs Lucas led Abigail inside, leaving a trail of water in the porch. Once they were inside, Noah took a moment to examine himself. He had to get out of his own wet clothes.
Figuring it might be wise to wait a short while before going inside, Noah paced up and down the yard for a few minutes. When he saw the curtains being drawn across the sitting room windows, Noah guessed it might be safe to go inside. As he walked to the front door, it opened and out stepped Mr Lucas.
The gray-haired man smiled at Noah. "You might want to be careful if you're going in there," he advised Noah. "They're by the fire for now. Drying her off. Maybe take a while."
Noah understood what the man was trying tell him, while choosing his words carefully. "Is there a fire over at the bunkhouse?" he asked Mr Lucas.
"Sure. Got it ready for the ranch hands coming back later," Mr Lucas replied.
"I'll go over there and get dried off," Noah said. He leaned closer to Mr Lucas, lowering his voice. "Can you come and tell me when Abigail is ready to go back to her ranch?"
Mr Lucas smiled and winked at Noah. "Sure can, Mr MacKendrick. Figure it'll be about an hour or two."
Noah nodded and then patted Mr Lucas on the shoulder. "Mighty kind of you," he said to the man.
And then Noah started to make his way over to the bunkhouse. He had some wet clothes of his own to dry.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Her entire outfit had dried in front of the fire and she was getting dressed again. Abigail stood in the sitting room with Mrs Lucas standing guard at the door. Abigail asked herself once again what she would have done if Mrs Lucas hadn't have been here. Things would have been very awkward, she told herself. And that was putting it mildly.
It had been about two hours since she'd left Noah standing outside. Mrs Lucas had been sweet and kind and ever so helpful. Somehow, the kindly woman had been able to bring everything Abigail needed to restore some order to her appearance. Clothes had been dried, some cleaning had been done. Even if it wasn't perfect, it would have to do for the moment. Abigail knew her hair was still a mess. It would need some extra-special care once she got home to her ranch.
Finally, Abigail was dressed again. The clothes still felt slightly damp, but it would suffice for the ride back home. Mrs Lucas told her Noah had made use of the bunkhouse and that he was waiting for Abigail out in the yard. It seemed fitting for Noah to refrain from coming into the house while Abigail was cleaning up. That was what she'd have expected of him. Gentlemanly conduct, once learned, wasn't easily forgotten, she reflected.
What had seemed like a crisis had turned out to be nothing more than a minor inconvenience.
Abigail straightened in front of Mrs Lucas. "How do I look?"
Mrs Lucas tilted her head to one side and examined Abigail. "For someone who took a tumble in the creek, I think you've dried up pretty well."
Abigail sneezed. She saw Mrs Lucas frown. "It's nothing," Abigail assured Mrs Lucas.
"You need to be getting home, Miss Buchanan."
Abigail nodded. "I know."
"Mr MacKendrick has his carriage waiting," Mrs Lucas explained.
Abigail went to the closed curtains and swept them open. It was dark outside. The light from the house cast a warm glow across the yard. Sure enough, there was Noah's carriage with Rebel tied up at the back. Rebel tugged impatiently at the lead, as if wondering how long he was going to have to wait for Abigail. There was no sign of Noah. She wondered where he could be. Maybe he was just keeping out of sight until he received the all-clear. Seemed like her host had his mind set on keeping his promise and delivering her safely back to her family.
Abigail smiled, inwardly pleased. Now that the indignation she'd felt at the creek had diminished, she told herself she'd been impressed with Noah's obvious determination to do what he thought was the right thing. He hadn't hesitated when it had come to making sure she was brought back to the safety of his ranch. He'd been right. Traveling all the way back to her own home would have risked exposing her to the chill, evening air. It might be bad enough having a bit of a cold, she thought, trying to hold back another sneeze. But it would have been a whole different matter if she'd caught a chill.
She saw a movement over toward the corral. Noah was leaning against the wooden fence. Waiting for her. Not only was her entire body warmer now. Her heart was far less chilly toward the handsome rancher who'd rescued her from the cold waters of the creek. It wasn't every day something like that happened to a gal, she told herself.
The Rancher’s Bride Blessing Page 14