He wasn’t sure if it changed his opinion of Veronica or not. Maybe once she told him how Bridey came about he’d feel differently. A baby was innocent, but the parents weren’t. There was something he didn’t know, and he had a feeling he didn’t want to know. A sense of satisfaction came over him. At least he’d won the house.
He smiled thinking about how Sandler brought home the oldest saloon girl Max had ever seen. She didn’t even have more than three teeth. Georgie’s face had been full of horror. She wanted weddings and babies not grandmothers.
The Reverend started the wedding.
Max’s mind drifted off again. Poor Willis had almost got himself full of buckshot. He’d climbed into the window of a sweet young girl with the intent of proposing, but her father hadn’t seen it that way. The next day, her father had come to talk to Parker about his purity-robbing men.
The reverend asked him if he would take Veronica for his wife.
“I do,” he said in response and then he fished the ring out of his pocket. He’d carried it with him for years. It had been his mother’s. He slid the gold ring inlaid with emeralds onto Veronica’s finger, and tears filled her eyes. He smiled at her, and his heart felt full as he leaned down and kissed her. He had to admit that the kiss was a bit of a disappointment. She was very quick to pull away.
“The ring is beautiful, Max. Thank you.”
“It was my mother’s. It’s brought me luck all these years. It looks good on you.” He could have sworn her eyes glowed for an instant.
Taking her hand in his, he introduced her to the men. A few wanted to give her a kiss, but he quickly put an end to that notion. Poor Whitley ended up with a bloodied nose, and that dissuaded anyone else from touching her.
Sandler shook his hand. “You did it. You won the house. I thought for sure it would be me.”
Max felt his bride stiffen beside him. That remark was bound to cause trouble. “It’s a fine house.”
Willis joined them, shaking his head. “I put a lot of work into that house thinking I’d be the one who’d win the bet. Almost had it too, if her father hadn’t had a gun.” He grinned. “Best wishes to you both.”
Max gave Veronica a sidelong glance. She was looking in a different direction, away from him and his friends. He’d have a lot of explaining to do.
“I’m going to check on Bridey.” She turned and began to walk away.
“What’s with her having a baby? Didn’t her husband die in the war?” Sandler asked rather loudly.
Veronica stopped for a second then she continued on to the house. She must have heard.
“I don’t know much about the baby, and I wasn’t going to ask. Not yet, anyway. I’d appreciate it if you didn’t mention the bet or the baby. It upset Veronica. No one wants to know they are part of a bet or a contest.”
Willis and Sandler both made noises he took as agreement. Max had always lived a life of integrity. He made sure there wasn’t a thing others could say about him except that he was a good soldier. He sighed as he rubbed the back of his neck. He’d have to make a show of accepting both his wife and her child. Why he’d thought it would all be easy, he didn’t know.
Parker slapped him on the back. “You all right?”
“A few unexpected surprises is all. Nothing I can’t handle.”
Parker cocked his right brow. “You have a ready-made family, and I know you didn’t count on the baby. If you need someone to talk to, I’m always here.”
“Why didn’t she just tell me? It wouldn’t have made a difference.” His smile felt as hollow as his heart. “I appreciate your offer. I’ll probably take you up on it.”
Veronica walked out of the house with Bridey in her arms. She glanced around and then smiled when she saw him.
“She sure is pretty.” Parker slapped him on the back again. “Go and stand by your wife. Your reaction to the child will matter how she is treated by the rest.”
Max slowly walked to his family. She really was beautiful, though her eyes looked hunted and she could use a few pounds. Who knew what she had endured in Louisiana? Had anyone been there for her, to protect her?
She gave him a smile of delight as he approached. He grinned back and held his hands out. He hugged Bridey to him then he held her so they were eye to eye. “I’m your pa. You are a bonnie one, aren’t you? I expect we’ll get on just fine.” He held Bridey in one arm as he held Veronica’s hand in his. He still had many questions but he was determined to have a nice day and make sure both his girls were accepted in the community.
He introduced them to Willian Cabot, the foreman, to Walter Green, a fellow soldier and Sondra’s beau, Anson Stack, owner of the general store, Daniel Willford, the town banker, and to Shelly Kingsman, restaurant owner. Next, he introduced her to neighboring ranchers, Jamie Butcher, Zach McBride, and Dace McKenna. Everyone was polite, and they seemed to like her.
He wanted to growl as a gaggle of women came over to them. They were young women who still acted like immature southern belles. “Hello Fanny, Constance, and Henrietta. This is Veronica, my wife and Bridey, my daughter.”
He watched in disdain as they acted shocked and dismayed that Veronica had a child.
“Recently widowed, you poor dear,” Fanny commented with a bit of malice in her voice. Being the town gossips they already knew the whole story.
“Isn’t that Georgie’s dress? You didn’t bring you own?” Constance asked cattily.
“I don’t suppose we’ll see much of each other,” Henrietta said. “We can’t risk our reputations.” She gave his wife a superior smile.
The all turned at once and walked away. Veronica flinched and lowered her head.
“Veronica?” he said softly. “Honey, don’t let them get you down. Henrietta tried to get me to court her, and I gave her set down that I guess she’ll never forgot. Honestly, Georgie doesn’t talk to them. They tried to shame her about her clothes, but when she told them she was an O’Rourke they realized they’d insulted the most powerful family in the south.”
The rest of the cowhands came and paid their respects, and although Veronica smiled, there was a sadness about her.
“Let’s get you off your feet for a bit.” He led her to bench under a willow tree. “Here take Bridey and I’ll get us something to drink.”
She nodded and took Bridey, but her eyes shimmered and he was afraid she would start crying. He hurried and got the punch and then asked Georgie to talk to Veronica. Veronica wiped away a tear and tried to smile when they approached.
Georgie sat next to her and took Bridey. “There are people like the belles no matter where you go. They’ve insulted me many times. But if you notice we’re married and live on this beautiful ranch. They don’t even have beaus. They are mean and spiteful and they weren’t invited. Don’t take what they had to say to heart. When I first got here all I had was rags to wear. That was just the way was for most southerners. We are survivors and the only thing that upset them about the war was the fact there weren’t any parties.”
“I shouldn’t be so sensitive. It’s been a long day”
Georgie tilted her head. “If you’d two would like to go rest at your new house, go ahead. I can keep Bridey with me for a bit.”
Veronica looked at Max. He nodded and she smiled a real smile. “Thank you. I will take Bridey with us though. I won’t rest if she’s not near me.”
Georgie handed the baby back to her, and then Max took Veronica’s hand and helped her up from the bench. He entwined his fingers with hers and walked her to their new home.
* * *
Her nerves hit her all at once, and she tried to pretend to be as calm as possible. “It’s a lovely house.”
“We finished last week, and Georgie bought a few pieces of furniture. She said the woman who ended up living here would like to pick things out for herself.” He drew her up onto the porch, opened the door, and then swept both her and Bridey up into his arms. He carried them into the house.
Her heart beat faster
. His actions touched her, and a rush of pleasure washed over her. She actually laughed. It sounded foreign to her. It’d been so long since a carefree laugh had come out of her mouth.
Max put her down on her feet. “Let me show you the bedroom.”
She closed her eyes for a moment. It was her wedding night or rather late afternoon. She’d been preparing herself mentally for it. “Of course.”
“Your bags were brought here already.” He opened a door to a spacious room with an awfully big bed. There was also a chair, a side table, and a wardrobe.
“Oh my, it’s lovely. I’ve never seen a bed so big, and I’m used to pegs on the wall to hang my clothes on.” She walked to the bed, admiring the quilt. It was a well-known wedding quilt pattern. Max was too good for her. She’d always lived in very small farmhouses until things took a turn and then she’d lived in shacks. Her shoulders slumped. She’d never live up to his idea of a wife. She had too many secrets she planned to carry to her grave.
“Max, this house is too grand for me. I shouldn’t have put this fine dress on. I’m not a fine lady like Georgie. My folks were always poor. You’re a fine man, and you deserve a fine lady.” She sat on the bed and tried her best not to cry.
“Are you wanted by the law?”
“No, of course not.”
“Did you work in a brothel?”
Her eyes widened. “No, didn’t you read my letter? I might have been poor and a woman alone but I never— The answer is no.”
“Is your husband really dead?”
“Yes.”
Max sat on the bed next to her. “You are good enough for me. It’s easy to doubt yourself when you’re in a new place. So far, I like you. I think we’ll get on just fine. From what I’ve observed, marriage is giving and taking. But you’ve been married before, so you know.”
“I’m just tired I guess.”
“Listen, take a nap and get some rest. It looks as though the baby is finally asleep.”
She gazed into his eyes looking for disappointment. Seeing none, she nodded. “It sounds like a good idea.”
He stood and kissed her on the forehead. “Get some sleep. I’ll be here if you need me.”
“Thank you, Max.”
He closed the door behind him as he left.
Veronica stood and placed Bridey on the bed. “I know your ma would have approved of Max and now we’re out of danger, little one.” She lay down next to the baby and fell asleep.
Chapter Three
Veronica woke with a start to Bridey’s cry. After changing the baby, Veronica unbuttoned her dress and held the little one close. The door opened, and Max walked in. His face turned a nice shade of cherry red.
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. I’ll be feeding her a lot, so you might as well get used to it. It’s part of being a parent. I’m just glad that I’m able to give her sustenance. Many women had a hard time. I think it was due to worry and fear. This is the most relaxed I’ve been in about a year.”
Max looked everywhere except at her. She bit back a smile. He’d get used to it.
“I was embarrassed at first too. But this is natural to me now. I was thinking that we could line a drawer with a quilt and Bridey could sleep there.”
His brows furrowed.
“Just until we get her a cradle. I didn’t have one for her so I used a drawer. I’ve learned to make do. I’ll need to wash the diapers too.”
“Today?”
“Yes. I just used her last clean one. It hasn’t been easy keeping her clean all the way here.”
Max gazed at her finally. “I suppose hot water is in order?”
“That would be perfect.” He seemed so easy going. It was a huge weight off her shoulders.
“I’ll get the cook stove working and water on to boil, then I’ll get some lye soap from Georgie.”
She grimaced. “I don’t want to bother Georgie.”
Max chuckled. “She’d be insulted if she found out we didn’t ask.”
Gazing into his blue eyes, she felt as though she was getting lost in them. He was surprisingly handsome. He could have had any woman, but he decided on a mail order bride. It seemed a bit strange.
He left the room, and she could hear him lighting the cook stove and putting water on to boil. She wasn’t used to a cook stove. But she was a good cook, and she’d just have to figure it out. As soon as he went outside again, she put Bridey down and took off Georgie’s dress. She shouldn’t have slept in it, but at least it didn’t look wrinkled.
Next, she opened one of her bags and pulled out a brown dress. It, too, had seen better days. It had been let out and then taken in and taken in again. All of her dresses were dark in color since stains didn’t show as badly. Making do was something she was an expert on. Now, to be sure she didn’t shame her husband with her backward ways. She could read and write but figuring had always been hard for her.
Bridey was asleep again, so Veronica grabbed the diapers and put them in a pail of cold water to soak for a bit. The temptation to fiddle with the stove was hard to fight but she didn’t want to take a chance of letting the fire die. Max could teach her.
The kitchen was large with a nice table for eating. Was that a water pump? There were cabinets with doors on them. She’d never seen anything like it. She opened and closed all of them. Then she peeked into the other bedroom and it was nice and big too. It was empty but it was a room for dreamin’ about future children. Next she went out to the main room. The fireplace took up a large portion of one wall. She’d be warm this winter.
There were a few shelves and her smile grew extra wide. There were plenty of books to read. Ignorant people didn’t read, and she wasn’t ignorant. The house got plenty of light. She touched one of the windows and was awed by the glass panes. There were shutters too. The wooden floor was covered with a very big rug.
She didn’t belong here. Her family had a farm but had to become sharecroppers after the civil war. Even at their best they never had the likes of things in this house. Max probably thought he married a normal woman down on her luck, not a woman who was out of luck and never really had any.
Her heart beat quickly, and perspiration formed on her brow. What had she done? She wouldn’t be an asset to her husband. She was bound to shame him, and she knew there would be plenty of questions about Bridey. She shouldn’t have come. It was all a big mistake.
The door opened, and Max came in with the soap. He smiled at her.
If she told him he’d send her home. Drawing in a deep breath, she let it out slowly and followed him into the kitchen. He put soap in the water, and she put the diapers into the boiling water.
“Could you show me how to use the hand pump?” She waited for his dismay that she didn’t know how, but his expression didn’t change.
“Here, you just lift the handle up and then down, water comes out. You put the pail or cup under it. The sink has a stopper to collect the water to do dishes.”
“How do you empty the water?”
He smiled. “This is the best part. You pull out the stopper and the water runs out.”
She furrowed her brow. “Runs out to where?”
“There is a pipe that draws it away a bit.”
Her jaw dropped. “It just magically leaves the house? Oh my.” She sighed. “You must think me inept, but we never had luxuries in my home. This house is amazing. It has glass window panes, and did you see the rug?”
She liked his smile. He looked to be enjoying himself.
“I do have something to confess. I can cook using the fireplace, but I’m not sure what to do with a cook stove.” She watched him intently, waiting for a frown.
“I’ll show you. We’ll make supper together, and then I’ll show you how to bank it for tomorrow. Do you see the compartment in back? It’s a water reserve. You fill it with water and you’ll always have warm water. Not hot enough to wash diapers, but it’ll make you smile when you wash your face in the mornings. No more cold water.” He put his
arms around her and pulled her to him. “You’ll like it here.”
She tried not to panic. She didn’t like being close to men. Arms encircling her made her feel trapped. She drew away slowly and relaxed a bit when he let her go. It was just another thing he wouldn’t like about her. Pretending was harder than she’d imagined.
“I’m a hard worker, and as soon as I know how it all works you won’t have to lift a finger around here.”
“Sit down, I want to talk to you,” Max said.
Her stomach clenched as she sat at the table across from him.
“What type of man was your husband?”
“He was a good man.”
Max rubbed the back of his neck. “I guess I want to know if he was gentle with you or if he got mad when things weren’t done.”
She had no idea. She never lived with him. “He was a nice man. It was my father who demanded everything be done. I guess I lived in fear of him, and I don’t want to do anything to make you want to hit me.”
Anger crossed his face. “I don’t believe in hitting or manhandling women. If we have a problem I hope we can talk it out.”
Her shoulders relaxed. “I’ll finish up with the wash.” She got up and kept her back to him. What was he going to think tonight when she shied away from him? She’d have to get through it somehow.
* * *
Max walked to the main house, his fists clenched tight. Something was wrong, and he couldn’t think of what he’d done. He’d pretended that her bringing her surprise baby didn’t bother him. He’d been more than kind, or so he thought. He’d been a soldier too long, and he had no idea what to do with a wife.
Parker and Georgie stood up when he reached the porch. “I need to talk to both of you.” He let himself into the house. He paced back and forth while the couple sat down on the sofa.
Shattered Trust: Mail Order Brides of Spring Water Book Two Page 2