The Final Vow (Hearts of Hays Series #2)

by Barbara Goss

  10

  After Laura and Jesse selected where they wanted their house built, they rode into town and chose a floor plan. They both agreed on the two-bedroom home with space to build on later. Then, they mailed the letter to Sam Morgan. As they were turning the wagon around to return home, Jesse nudged Laura and pointed. “Isn’t that Cassie?”

  “I believe it is. Who is that with her?”

  “He looks familiar.” After thinking and staring he said, “Isn’t it the man from the restaurant the day we met and went for tea?”

  “I think you’re right. I wonder if he’s the man she’s been daydreaming about.”

  “I aim to find out,” he said, pointing the wagon toward where Cassie and this man stood chatting.

  Cassie leaned against one of the hitching posts talking to the man and laughing. Jesse pulled up next to them and asked, “Care to introduce us, Cassie?”

  Cassie blushed, “Oh!” She glanced from Jesse to her male friend. “Silas Martin, this is my brother, Jesse, and his fiancée, Laura.”

  Laura nodded and smiled.

  Jessie jumped down from the wagon and shook Silas’s hand. “Nice to meet you. Aren’t you the one who bought the Simpson place?”

  “Yes, I am,” Silas said.

  Everyone remained silent for several minutes before Cassie clarified, “Silas was admiring my horse. He is building a livery here in town.”

  “If you’re interested in good horse flesh, I have a palomino for sale. He’s a bit too wild for me. I tried to break him, but he wasn’t having any of it.”

  “I’m interested,” Silas said. “Mind if I come out sometime and take a look at him?”

  “Anytime.”

  Just then, Elizabeth Healy walked up and put her arm through Silas’s. “There you are!”

  Cassie frowned.

  “I need some help with my packages, can you carry them to my buggy?” she purred.

  Cassie threw dagger looks at Elizabeth. “See you then, Silas,” she said.

  “Wait,” he called to Cassie as she turned to her horse. “Is later this afternoon convenient to see the horse?”

  She shrugged. “Ask Jesse.” She mounted her horse and sped toward home, leaving them in her dust.

  Jesse said, “This afternoon is fine.”

  Laura thought about Cassie on the way home. Cassie and Elizabeth cannot be compared, because it would be like comparing an apple tree to an oak tree. Elizabeth would be the apple tree, all flowery and sometimes bitter, while Cassie would be the sturdy and reliable oak. Cassie, while a full-bodied young woman, still appeared slim, muscular, and strong. Her blonde braids and rosy cheeks often made her look younger. Laura considered Cassie an attractive woman. Would Silas choose Elizabeth, who obviously liked Silas, over Cassie?

  “Are you thinking what I’m thinking?” Jesse asked.

  “I think so. I don’t want to see Cassie hurt by Silas or Elizabeth.”

  “How dumb do you think Silas is?” he asked sourly. “Hey! Why are you sitting way over there? Is our romance over so soon?”

  Laura scooted over and rested her head on his shoulder. “No chance. I was just busy thinking.”

  “Can you do something for me?” When Laura nodded, he said, “Talk to her and see how far this romance has gone. Now that Elizabeth is in the picture, I’m worried.”

  After lunch, Cassie and Laura did dishes while Meg went to work on Laura’s dress, and Jesse went to check his cattle. Cassie had been quiet since they returned to the ranch.

  “Are you in love, Cassie?” Laura asked hesitantly. She’d never talked to Cassie about personal things, and she wasn’t sure of Cassie’s reaction.

  “I reckon. I’ve met Silas a few times, and we’ve talked, but I’ve never… you know… kissed or even held hands. Now, I know why. Elizabeth— the troublemaker.”

  “Just because she is trying to latch onto him doesn’t mean he is a willing participant. He looked befuddled by her today, as if he hadn’t expected her or something.”

  “I hope you’re right.” She hung the dishtowel over the rack. “The way I see it is, if he chooses her over me, then he wasn’t worth having in the first place.”

  “Why, Cassie, what a realistic way of looking at the situation. I’m impressed and proud of you.”

  “Yah, that’s me, realistic and lonely.”

  Elizabeth pulled Silas to the general store where she had several packages for him to load into the buggy. Silas noted none were even slightly heavy.

  “Hop into the buggy with me? I need to talk to you,” Elizabeth said.

  He hesitated, then shrugged and sat down in the buggy. Elizabeth shut the door of the buggy.

  “How would you like to make fifty thousand dollars?”

  Silas studied her. “Honest money?”

  “Absolutely!” She pulled out the newspaper and showed him the ad that she had circled.

  He read it carefully. “What does this mean? Who are these people?”

  “Laura MacDonald is Jesse Collins’s future wife. All you have to do is contact this Morgan man and tell him where she is— easy money.”

  Meg, Laura and Cassie sat on the porch trying to keep cool. They sipped ice-cold lemonade and fanned themselves.

  “Someone’s coming up the path,” Meg remarked.

  Laura and Cassie both said together, “Silas.”

  “Who is Silas?” Meg asked.

  Cassie answered, “A new man in town who is interested in Adonis.”

  “Oh,” Meg said. “He’s not hard to look at either. Better ring for Jesse.”

  Laura rang the bell, and the women greeted Silas. Cassie introduced him to Meg.

  “Jesse will be coming in a minute. He’s working on a fence. Will you have some lemonade?” Laura asked.

  “I sure could use some; it’s a scorcher today!” he said, brushing the dust from his clothes, and taking a seat on the steps. He nodded at Cassie. “Hi, again, Cassie.”

  Cassie gave him a cool greeting.

  He sat drinking the lemonade. “This hits the spot, thank you.” He eyed Laura. “I hear you and Jesse will be married in a few weeks.” When she nodded, he said, “Congratulations.”

  Laura blushed. “Thank you. I can’t wait.”

  Jesse rode up in a cloud of dust. “Martin! Here to see the horse? C’mon, he’s in the barn.”

  The men strode off to the barn.

  “He seems pleasant enough,” Meg said.

  “He bought the Simpson place,” Cassie stated matter-of-factly. “I heard in town he’s planning on building a livery.”

  “We can use another livery. Hardy’s is always bogged down with customers, and I hear he runs out of buggies all the time.” Meg collected the empty glasses. “I hope he buys that wild horse.”

  Cassie and Laura watched Jesse and Silas walk toward the house leading Adonis by a rope.

  “Sold!” Jesse said with a wink at Laura.

  “He’s a beauty!” exclaimed Silas. “Is it all right if I tie him to the fence while I have a quick word with Cassie?”

  Jesse looked at Cassie. She nodded. “Sure," he said. “Laura, let’s cool off by wading in the creek.”

  “Perfect!” she exclaimed.

  As Jesse and Laura walked off hand in hand, Cassie looked at Silas. “You wanted a word?”

  “I do,” he said. “I seem to be getting the cold shoulder from you. Is it because of Elizabeth? I honestly did not encourage her.”

  “She and I have a history. Looks as if she has her eyes on you.”

  “I’m not in the least interested. She isn’t my type.”

  Cassie, while pleased by his words, didn’t want to show it. “What will you do with Adonis?”

  “Who? Oh, the horse! I have a friend who breaks horses. I’ll be riding him soon.”

  “I want to see that!” Cassie said.

  “And you’ll be the first,” he winked. “Cassie... he hesitated. “Would you have dinner with me tonight at Lucy’s?”

  Cass
ie waited a decent length of time before answering, so he’d not think her anxious. “I guess I can.”

  “It’s three o’clock now, would you like to take a slow ride back to town with me? I’ll show you where the new livery will be, I’ll drop off Adonis, and then we can go to Lucy’s.”

  Over coffee and dessert at Lucy’s, Silas asked Cassie, “So what’s the deal with Elizabeth Healy?”

  Up to now, their conversation had been about horses. The sudden switch in topic caused Cassie to hesitate in answering. Finally, she decided to be her true self and say it as it is. “She’s umm, how can I say this politely, a haughty and deceitful snob.”

  Silas chuckled. “I gathered as much. You seem to be a very forthright person, and if you say so, I believe you.” He traced his cup rim with his finger. “Care to tell me how she is deceitful?”

  “Surely you’ve heard the gossip here in town about how Laura came to us. Well, my brother fell in love with her, and she with him.” Cassie sighed. “They are so much in love I get goose bumps when I see them together. Anyway, Elizabeth has always fancied Jesse, but he never paid her much mind except a wink now and then. She somehow got the idea he belonged to her and became furious when Jesse showed signs of caring for Laura. So she had her rich father travel all the way to Kansas City to bring a priest to Hays City to return Laura to her convent. Little did she know Jesse wasted no time in bringing her back home. A deceitful thing for Elizabeth to do, don’t you think?”

  “Maybe she thought she was helping by getting the girl back to the convent,” Silas countered.

  “No. She explains it that way, but going all the way to Kansas City? Her father and mother give her whatever she wants.”

  “You’re probably right. And now she seems to be trying to snare me.” He laughed. “Now I’m the lucky one.”

  “If she wants you, she’ll get you… one way or another,” Cassie said.

  “That’s the second reason I wanted to have dinner with you,” he smiled. “To find out more about her, so I know how to handle her. She’s thrown me completely off balance.”

  “And the first reason?”

  “I like you, and I want to know you better.”

  Cassie blushed. She liked him too, but she wouldn't tell him that, yet. “I’ve enjoyed the dinner, thank you.”

  “We need to drink up and get home before dark. It’s a nasty road in the dark,” he warned.

  Cassie emptied her cup. “There is something I need to ask you first. Excuse me if it’s too bold a question, but I can’t see continuing this friendship without the answer.”

  “Fire away.”

  “Just what are your intentions toward Elizabeth Healy?”

  “I have none. She’s doing all the chasing; I’m running as fast as I can.” He stood and escorted Cassie to the door. “I just couldn’t figure out why, but I think she may be using me to get Jesse jealous… what other reason could there be?”

  They mounted their horses and Cassie turned and said, “If I were you, I’d run a bit faster. She can wreak havoc in your life. She is a dangerous woman.”

  When they reached the house, Silas asked, “Do you have to go in right away? How about a walk? It’s such a lovely evening.”

  “What about riding home in the dark?” Cassie asked.

  “I think I can handle it.” He winked.

  “All right, I’ll show you the bridge Jesse built to cross the creek.”

  As they walked, Silas said, “You are a very accomplished horsewoman.”

  “I love horses.”

  “As do I!” he exclaimed. “They are my life. I’ve loved them since I was a boy.”

  Silas and Cassie made small talk until they reached the bridge.

  “Cassie,” he said, “since I answered your question at Lucy’s, was the answer the right one? Can we continue our relationship?”

  Cassie looked up at him. His large brown eyes twinkled in the moonlight. One of his dark blonde curls had fallen over his forehead. She longed to touch it. His nose, long and straight complimented his face, especially when he smiled. “Yes,” she practically whispered.

  Silas reached out and gently pulled her closer. He bent and brushed his lips to hers. She put her arms around his neck. “I want to get to know you even better,” he whispered, “May I call on you again?”

  “You may.”

  Silas was shocked to see Elizabeth sitting on his doorstep when he returned home. “What in the world are you doing here?” he asked.

  “Waiting for you,” she said with a frown. “Where have you been?”

  “I don’t think I need to explain my whereabouts.”

  “You didn’t give me an answer,” she pouted.

  “To what?”

  “As to whether or not you agree to contact the man in San Francisco for the reward?”

  “What,” he asked, a bit aggravated, “will you do if I say I’m not interested?”

  “Probably contact them myself. I don’t need the money, but I want to…”

  “Get rid of Jesse’s bride?” he cut in.

  Elizabeth bit her bottom lip. “Yes.”

  “Why? Do you really think it will get him back? I hate to tell you this, but you are already on his ‘not a chance in hell’ list.”

  “And I’d like to pay him back for the way he spoke to me when he found out what I did. I was only trying to help.”

  “I don’t want any part of the scheme. I’ve come to Hays to start up a business. I don’t need to alienate anyone. Sure, I could use the money, but not if it hurts others.”

  Elizabeth became furious. “I didn’t think you were man enough to do it.”

  “If that’s being a man, then you are absolutely right.”

  “I’ll do it myself then. Where’s the newspaper?” she asked.

  “I threw it away,” he said with a sardonic smile.

  Elizabeth practically growled. “I just hope you have enough money for your livery because you won’t be getting any loans from my father’s bank.”

  “Your father would refuse good interest on a loan to appease you?” he asked with a laugh.

  “My father will do anything I ask him to.” She spat.

  Silas took Elizabeth by the shoulders and looked her straight in the eyes and said, “Your father hasn’t done you any favors because now you are nothing but a spoiled opportunist. There isn’t a man alive who can beat what your father does for you. You will never be happy, and your father won’t always be there for you. If I were you, I’d start changing my ways, and I’d start by apologizing to Jesse Collins.” He let go of her and went into his house.

  The next morning Silas paid Jesse a visit. Meg had sent him to where he worked on the fence. Jesse saw him coming and waved. “Howdy, Silas. What brings you out here? I hope it’s not problems with the horse?”

  “No, the horse is doing fine. My friend will try to break him.”

  Jesse stood from his kneeling position by the fence. “What can I do for you?”

  “I have something for you,” he handed Jesse the folded newspaper with the ad circled.

  “What’s this?” asked Jesse, scanning the ad. “Oh, the ad. We’ve seen it and already responded. We haven’t heard from this Morgan yet.”

  “Oh, good,” Silas said, relief in his voice. “I’m glad to hear it’s taken care of because Elizabeth tried to con me into contacting this Morgan person and collecting the reward.”

  “What?” Jesse tried to control his temper. “I don’t believe that woman!”

  “I refused, and she threatened to contact him herself. If you’ve already responded, her efforts will be wasted.”

  Jesse wondered about this Silas. He seemed a decent man. Why would he be partnering with Elizabeth? And why wasn’t he anxious to grab the money?

  “Why did you refuse Elizabeth? Surely, you could have used the money? The offer is public and not illegal.”

  “It just didn’t feel right. Cassie told me how much Laura means to you and we don’t know who th
is man Morgan is or what he wants Laura for. I will admit, I thought about it; then when I got to know your sister, I felt it wouldn’t make her too happy if I did that. I like Cassie… a lot. In fact, I want to ask permission to court her.”

  Jesse thought highly of the man’s integrity. Cassie could do worse, a lot worse. “What about Elizabeth Healy? I won’t have Cassie hurt. You can’t court Cassie if you are seeing Elizabeth.”

  “I never courted Elizabeth… she is pushing herself on me, for some reason. I told her point-blank last night what I thought of her, and I’m hoping she won’t bother me anymore. Cassie is my choice without the slightest doubt.”

  Jesse smiled. “You may court Cassie. And… I need a witness at my wedding, would you stand up with me? I lost my best friend recently…”

  “I’d be honored! Thrilled even!”

  “And you’ll be pleased to know, Cassie is standing with Laura.”

  “Perfect,” Silas winked.

  11

  Jesse stood at the altar with his now good friend, Silas Martin, awaiting his bride. The door at the rear of the church opened, and Jesse thought an angel had walked through the door. Laura wore the antique white dress with a bouquet of multi-colored wild flowers. She wore a crown of the same type of flowers on her head. Her eyes appeared bright and expectant as she looked right at Jesse and smiled. Jesse’s heart pounded with joy. She’s all mine!

  As Laura began walking toward Jesse, her heart skipped a beat. Dressed all in black, with a crisp white shirt and black string tie, stood the man she loved. She’d never seen him wearing anything but casual ranch clothes. His hair was slicked down neatly, and his smile included his eyes. This is the happiest day of my life!

  Behind Laura walked Cassie and Meg. Cassie wore a light-green dress with her hair in a fancy hairstyle where the hair was scooped up and pinned with flowers. Meg wore a navy blue dress with a large lace collar.

  As Cassie came down the aisle, Silas thought she outshined the bride. He’d never seen her without her pants and braids. She smiled at him, and he winked back.