Walter immediately lifted her down, and the porch and front door loomed large. It would only take one foot in front of the other. She was a coward, she’d gone to a promised beating easier than she was going to Max. A beating would eventually end, but not being loved would eat at her, she suspected. The thought of Bridey propelled her forward.
She opened the door and walked in. Her first instinct was to go and check on Bridey but Max had probably done that a few times already.
He stood as she entered and there was kindness in his eye. “I was worried about you.”
“Someone was in the woods.”
“The woods across from Parker’s house?”
“No, the woods across the place they are building the houses for the freedmen.”
“To the left or right?”
“To the left.”
“You went that far? It’s a long walk. You’re lucky Crumb found you.”
“You were watching out the window.” Her voice was as toneless as she could manage.
“You never let me say anything before you took off.” He took a step toward her. She put her hand up in front of her.
“I can’t do this now, Max. I know nothing about feelings, and I realized that I spoke falsely. I’ve never known kindness, and I mistook your kindness for love, but they aren’t the same thing. I know I love Bridey, and that is all I know.”
He looked as though she’d slapped him. He stepped back, and a strange calm expression claimed his face. It must be a mask of some type. Had she hurt him with her words or was he angry with her? Maybe he really didn’t care one way or the other.
Tears spilled down her face. If he didn’t even care, she wouldn’t be able to take it. Why oh, why had she become so weak?
Max lifted her into his strong arms and sat on the sofa with her on his lap. “Please don’t cry, sweetheart. I should have told you a while ago how much I love you. If you don’t feel the same, that’s fine. We get on well, and we both love Bridey. I think we have a good future together.”
She buried her face into the crook of his neck. He loved her. Her heart opened, and it was as though a blessing itself was rushing into it. She pulled her head back so she could look into his eyes. “I felt like a fool. That’s why I ran. I’m just a backward woman who knows nothing except for how to tend to crops. Gifts, trust, friendship, gentleness, and caring are all new to me. I had no idea if you were just being nice or if you cared for me, and I just blurted it out and then was too much a coward to hear your answer. I do love you Max. You’re in my heart, and I feel like I could fly like a bird.”
He cupped her head with his palm and then leaned down and kissed her. His lips were so gentle, and it felt as though his kiss was full of love. The tenderness turned into a bit of eagerness, and she enjoyed every minute of it. If this was what it would be like being a true wife to him, she’d have to stop trying to avoid it.
When the kiss was over, she sighed contentedly and laid her head on his shoulder. They were quiet for a long while. She was soaking in all the love. She’d missed so much in her life and now she was blessed with Max’s love. She closed her eyes and silently thanked God.
Chapter Eleven
When should he make his move? A few days later, Max sipped his coffee while he watched Veronica feed Bridey. He’d never felt so awkward before. He didn’t want to rush things, but what if she was waiting? What if she expected to have their wedding night and he hadn’t made a move?
Sometimes she was easy to read, but at other times, like this, he didn’t have a clue and he had no one to ask. They’d just laugh and make jokes. He couldn’t help but stare at her. It was like having a puzzle that wouldn’t go together. He needed to figure it out.
Amis was still in town. In fact he never left town. He had a room at a boarding house, and if he wasn’t there he was at the saloon. No one had a guess as to what he was really doing, but it made Max anxious. There were plenty of other towns he could stay in. Amis must know that Veronica was near.
Max had been tempted to go to town and buy Amis off, but people who were prone to lying couldn’t be trusted. They’d looked through all the wanted posters, and the Sheriff said there would be more arriving today. Parker said he’d get someone to go by and get them.
Bridey was done feeding, and after Veronica burped her, she went to stand up with the baby in her arms. Max was right there to take Bridey.
“I’m completely healed, Max. In fact, I plan to make supper tonight. I’m not the best cook, but I’m certainly not the worst. Did you see the houses that are being built in the place they’re calling Joy?” She smiled and shook her head. “Of course you have. I can see them from the porch.”
It was good to know she was as nervous as he was. “The first few families will be moving in soon. It feels good to be able to help folks out.”
“Too bad there aren’t more like you and your army friends. The world could certainly do with some kindness. My life would have been so different if someone had offered a helping hand while I was growing up. People don’t like poor people. I was always nice when I went to town, but I was glared at and once a man spat right in front of me.”
He embraced both his wife and daughter in one big hug. “Those days are gone. People here like you. They don’t care how you grew up. Plus you’re with me, one of the greatest men ever.”
“You sure are something,” she teased.
They gazed into each other’s eyes, and this time Max saw the longing Veronica had for him. It was a huge weight off his shoulders. At least he knew his touch would be welcome.
“I’ll be at the corral if you need me. What are your plans today?”
“I plan to do laundry. Could you string some rope for me to hang the clothes on before you go?”
He kissed her cheek. “Consider it done.” He kissed Bridey’s forehead, and then he headed outside feeling buoyant. They were on the right track, and tonight just might be the night.
He strung the line for her and then headed to the barn.
“I swear he gets here later every day,” Willis said.
“Kissing a wife goodbye must take a long time,” Sandler said.
“Yes, that must be why he’s tardy,” Willis added.
“That’s just jealousy talking,” Max responded. He went to the bay he’d been working with.
“Dang right, we’re jealous!” Sandler chuckled.
“Not me,” Willis said with a smile.
“We’d best get busy. We have at least ten new cowhands coming soon, and we’ll need the extra mounts.” Max had the bay haltered and ready to go. “I think this one will be ready to learn to cut cattle and round up strays tomorrow.”
“Good to hear, and since you’re always late we can take the credit for all the hard work.” Willis was laughing so hard he barely got the words out.
Smiling, Max kept walking right out of the barn.
* * *
Veronica found herself humming as she gathered the laundry. How strange. She wasn’t the humming type. Happiness must be the reason. She had a lot to be happy about, and she was grateful. She put Bridey in a basket and brought her outside. The baby waved her little arms and smiled.
Life would be so different for Bridey than it had been for Veronica. She’d make sure of it. She glanced over to where Max was working with a brown horse. He was close enough she could see that he was pleased. Walter Green had nodded to her when she first came outside, but she didn’t know where he went after that. Maybe the danger was over. Hopefully, Amis was gone for good.
Laundry was hard work, but hard work never bothered her. Finally, she got to the point where she didn’t have to be bent over most of the time. She leaned back stretching her spine. She moved the basket with Bridey over to the clothesline and went back to get the wet clothing.
She hung the first item and glanced at Bridey’s basket with a big smile. Her smile faded, Bridey wasn’t there. Panic hit, and she started shaking. She heard Bridey cry and listened again. It sounded as th
ough her cry had come from inside the house.
Without hesitation, Veronica ran into the house fear clutched at her soul. Amis sat at the dining table with Bridey grasped between his hands.
Amis smiled. “I knew I’d find you, both you and my son. You are the lowest of low, woman. Just who do you think you are taking my child away? I planned to make you my wife, and you up and disappeared. I’m going to take little Amis here, and you too, since you’re the one who feeds him. You are, aren’t you?”
She nodded not taking her eyes off Bridey.
“I’ll take you too, then. I might even marry you once we get back to Louisiana.”
It took everything inside her not to show her disgust. Would he go crazy if she told him Bridey was a girl? It wasn’t a chance she wasn’t willing to take.
“Why don’t you give me the baby?” she asked trying to smile.
“You takin’ me for a fool? I’m holding on to my son.”
Bridey started crying louder.
“He probably needs a diaper change. Here give him to me.”
Amis narrowed his eyes. “Where do you change him?”
“In the bedroom.” She clasped her hands together to hide their intense shaking.
Amis got up and walked into the bedroom with the baby. He came right back and pushed the baby at her. “Go, get my son changed.”
Veronica walked near the window with Bridey.
“Trying to signal to someone? You think you can outsmart me, don’t ya? As soon as we’re away from here I’m going to teach you good for tryin’ to defy me. Close those shutters and the curtains. I don’t want anyone to see me.” His harsh chuckle sent a chill over her. “At least I don’t have to worry about that big man who has been watching the house. I have him all tied up.” He feigned a lunge in her direction. “Get to it.”
It was obvious from his superior tone that he thought he was so smart. Hopefully, Walter wasn’t hurt. Veronica hurried and closed the shutters and curtains. Then she quickly took Bridey into the bedroom. Did he have a gun? She hadn’t seen one, but Amis knew how to use his hands as weapons.
She left the door open. “Ew, little one what have you been eating?” she said loudly. “Amis, do you want to help? It’s a loaded diaper!” Veronica held her breath hoping he’d say no.
“That’s women’s work. You ain’t going to teach my boy any of those women chores either. I had some help, and I got in the crops. Made a bit of money, so here I am. Stan is watching over my piece of land. In fact, this was his idea and he was right. You have no right to take my son from me!”
From the sound of his voice he must be at the front door. It didn’t sound as loud as it had earlier. Listening hard, she heard the door being latched. She laid Bridey on the bed and closed the bedroom door as silently as she could. Moving the wardrobe in front of it was very noisy though. She pushed as hard as she could and was almost to the door when he tried to charge in. With the last of her strength, she gave it one final shove and the door closed.
Amis began to howl in pain and then he used every bad word he knew. She must have initially closed it on some part of him. Bridey began to cry, but Veronica didn’t dare move from the wardrobe. She had her back against it ready to push if needed.
She heard a strange sound and couldn’t figure it out at first. But soon she recognized the sound of whittling. Amis must be using his bowie knife to make a hole in the door.
Please Max, please see the shutters.
It would take Amis a good while but it was possible that he’d get in.
“Go away!” she shouted.
“Never! You and my son belong to me!”
Should she tell him the baby was a girl? Would it make any difference? She looked at Bridey, who was crying harder. Her face had turned bright red. No, he might kill Bridey or even sell her. Where was Max? He must not have seen the signal. He might even be away on his horse. How long would she be able to hold Amis off?
The wardrobe inched toward her, and she tried to push it back against the door. It was exhausting work, and her strength began to ebb. He seemed to be winning and despair filled her. Would he wait until they left the house before he began to beat her? There was no where she could go. He’d just follow.
She pushed the wardrobe again with all her might when it came toward her so hard it hit her. The pain was almost unbearable but she gave it another try. Tears filled her eyes as she was woefully unsuccessful. Veronica dove for the bed and Bridey, but Amis got to the baby first.
He picked Bridey up none to gently and held her like a rag doll. She seemed all cried out.
“Give the baby back to me, Amis, please. I’ll go with you just don’t hurt the baby,” she pleaded.
He grabbed Veronica’s arm. “Oh, you’re coming with me no matter what. I’m owed one wife and one son.” He propelled her forward. “I have supplies hidden in the woods. Let’s go.”
“Diapers, did you bring diapers?” She held her breath hoping to stall.
“Hurry up and grab some. We need to get going and fast.”
Bridey started crying again, and Veronica recognized the look in Amis’ eyes. He was ready to hit someone. She had no doubt he’d hit Bridey. Veronica grabbed as many diapers as she could, jammed them into a bag and walked out the front door with Amis and Bridey.
“Keep your eyes facing forward. I don’t want to alert anyone so just pretend we’re going for a friendly walk.”
“Give me the baby so she’ll stop crying.” Her heart raced. She’d called the baby “she.” Had he noticed?
Amis hesitated for a moment and then handed Veronica the baby. It took a minute, but Bridey calmed. He said nothing, apparently not hearing her slip. She must be more careful.
“How are we getting to Louisiana?” Veronica asked.
“Walkin’ mostly, I spent my money in town. It won’t be so bad. We’ll be home before winter.”
“That long? We might as well get started.” Veronica walked with him into the woods. All hope she had of someone seeing them were dashed. There had been no one in the yard. She took a shaky breath and put one foot in front of the other. If not for Bridey, Veronica would have gone numb from fear. It was usually better to think about other things when Amis was around.
They stopped near a big tree where two packs waited. They appeared heavy, and she’d be required to strap one to her back. Thank God she had healed.
Think of something else, Veronica. All she could think of was Psalm 71.
In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion.
Deliver me in thy righteousness, and cause me to escape: incline thine ear unto me, and save me.
Be thou my strong habitation, whereunto I may continually resort: thou hast given commandment to save me; for thou art my rock and my fortress.
Deliver me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked, out of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man.For thou art my hope, O Lord God: thou art my trust from my youth.
By thee have I been holden up from the womb: thou art he that took me out of my mother's bowels: my praise shall be continually of thee.
I am as a wonder unto many; but thou art my strong refuge.
Let my mouth be filled with thy praise and with thy honour all the day.
Cast me not off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength faileth.
For mine enemies speak against me; and they that lay wait for my soul take counsel together,
Saying, God hath forsaken him: persecute and take him; for there is none to deliver him.
O God, be not far from me: O my God, make haste for my help.
Let them be confounded and consumed that are adversaries to my soul; let them be covered with reproach and dishonour that seek my hurt.
But I will hope continually, and will yet praise thee more and more.
My mouth shall shew forth thy righteousness and thy salvation all the day; for I know not the numbers thereof.
I will go in the strength of the Lord God: I will mak
e mention of thy righteousness, even of thine only.
O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works.
Now also when I am old and greyheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come.
Thy righteousness also, O God, is very high, who hast done great things: O God, who is like unto thee!
Thou, which hast shewed me great and sore troubles, shalt quicken me again, and shalt bring me up again from the depths of the earth.
Thou shalt increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side.
I will also praise thee with the psaltery, even thy truth, O my God: unto thee will I sing with the harp, O thou Holy One of Israel.
My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing unto thee; and my soul, which thou hast redeemed.
My tongue also shall talk of thy righteousness all the day long: for they are confounded, for they are brought unto shame, that seek my hurt.
Even though it was a prayer of protection for an old man, many of the words were what she felt. She became calmer as she remembered she never walked alone. God was always with her.
She put Bridey down on the grass as she hefted one of the packs onto her back. It was so heavy she almost fell over backwards. Grunting beneath her burden, she managed to bend with some difficulty and lift Bridey into her arms.
“How far are we going today?”
“You don’t need to know. You just do what I say, understand?” He turned and glared at her.
“I understand,” she said through gritted teeth.
A long while later, Bridey began to fuss, and Veronica was in such pain she thought her arms would fall off.
“I need to nurse the baby.”
He ignored her, and they kept walking. Bridey fretted but didn’t start full on crying. That lasted another good while.
“I need to feed the baby,” she said a bit louder when Bridey began to squirm. Veronica held her breath when Amis suddenly stopped and turned.
“Feed my son and be quick about it.” The impatience in his voice showered her in dread.
Shattered Trust: Mail Order Brides of Spring Water Book Two Page 11