He tipped his hat up and studied her. “Have you ever ridden a horse?”
“Yes, I used to ride when I was younger. But a horse bucked me off. I broke my arm and ankle and had to stay in bed for weeks. A few months after that, we left Sweden and came to Chicago. I’ve never ridden since.”
Daniel rubbed his chin. “That could be a real problem.”
She looked up at him, her blue eyes wide. “What do you mean?”
“That’s how we get around out here.”
“But you have a wagon and carriage.” She pointed to the carriage parked at the other end of the barn.
“They’re made for the road. If you’re going anywhere else on the ranch, you have to ride … or I suppose you could walk, but it would take a mighty long time to cover sixteen hundred acres.”
Annika’s eyes widened again. “Sixteen hundred?”
“That’s right.” Daniel nodded. “We raise more than three hundred head of cattle, plus all our own grain for feed. Riding is a necessity out here.”
Annika bit her lip and stared at the horses, looking like that was the worst news she’d heard since she’d arrived.
Annika sat on the porch steps with Mariah seated in front of her, brushing out the girl’s hair. It was so tangled she could only do one small section at a time.
“Owww!” Mariah reached up and clamped her hand over the brush.
“Just a little more and we’ll be done,” Annika said gently.
Mariah sighed and let go. “All right, but my head feels like it’s gonna come off.”
“I’m sure you’ll be fine. And once we get these tangles out, we can braid it. That’ll keep it nice and neat.”
“Can we just stop for a minute?”
“All right.” Annika leaned back and scanned the rocky peaks and grassy, rolling hills beyond the barn. There was no sign of Mr. Simms and the other men who were still out searching for Chase.
Late-afternoon sunshine slanted across the Ponderosa pines, giving them a golden glow. Even in late October, this was a beautiful spot, so different than the busy streets of Chicago or quiet country lanes in Sweden. Even the sky looked different here, so broad and clear and somehow closer, as though she could reach right up and touch it.
“You think they’re gonna find my papa?” Mariah asked, gazing toward the hills.
Annika tensed. “Of course they will.” She began brushing Mariah’s hair again.
“My grampa says my papa misses my momma, and that’s why he’s always running off.”
Annika’s hand stilled. “What do you mean, running off?”
“Sometimes he leaves and doesn’t come back for a while.”
Annika frowned. “How long is he gone?”
“Two or three days, sometimes longer. I get real worried, but he always comes back.”
Chase had told her he was a widower, but he’d said nothing about feeling so distraught over his wife’s death that he left home for days at a time. In his letters he sounded strong and steady and eager to marry again. Perhaps Mariah misunderstood her grandfather, or she was talking about something she had heard months or years ago.
Mariah made a small circle in the dirt with the toe of her shoe. “I miss my momma, too, but I don’t go runnin’ off cause of it.”
Annika stilled, a silent prayer for wisdom forming in her heart. “When people lose someone they love, it affects them in different ways.”
“What do you mean?”
“When I lost my parents, I cried for days. I wondered if I’d ever be happy again.” The memory of that dark time passed over her like a cloud hiding the sun. Five years was long enough to lessen the pain, but not to wipe it out completely.
Mariah looked up at her, sympathy filling her eyes. “You lost both your momma and your papa?”
Annika nodded.
“What happened to them?”
“They died in a carriage accident when I was seventeen. It changed everything for Sophia and me. We had to leave our home, find jobs, and learn to live on our own in a very big city. It was hard, but we made it through by clinging to each other and to the Lord.”
Mariah leaned back against her. “I’m sorry about your momma and papa.”
Annika swallowed past the tightness in her throat and wrapped her arms around Mariah. “Thank you, Mariah. I’m sorry you lost your momma. I’m sure she loved you very much.”
Mariah sat quietly while Annika finished the last section of her hair. Finally, she released a soft sigh. “My momma used to brush my hair just like this.”
Tears burned Annika’s eyes, and she bent and kissed the top of Mariah’s head. “Well, I’m happy I can do it for you.”
Hoofbeats sounded in the distance. Annika looked up. Three men rode across the pasture toward the house.
“Here they come!” Mariah jumped up.
Mr. Simms rode in the lead on a big black horse. Annika’s heartbeat sped up as she searched the other men’s faces. The one on the left was stocky, gray-haired, and had a grizzled beard. The other was middle-aged with dark brown skin and eyes and a drooping moustache. Neither of them looked anything like Daniel or Mr. Simms.
Mariah ran to her grandfather. “Did you find my papa?”
Mr. Simms dismounted and passed his reins to the older man. “Sorry, not yet.”
Mariah trudged back to the porch, her shoulders drooping.
Daniel jogged over from the barn. “Any sign of Chase?”
His father shook his head, looking more irritated than worried. “We rode out past Marshall’s Creek and talked to the men working out there, but they haven’t seen him.” He stomped up the steps and strode past her into the house. Mariah followed him inside.
A chill traveled through Annika, and she pulled her sweater more tightly around her. Where was Chase? When would he come back? He’d seemed eager to meet her in the letters they exchanged. Why had he taken off on the day she was due to arrive? She turned to Daniel. “I don’t understand.”
He was quiet for several seconds, the muscles in his jaw jumping. “Me neither.”
“What happens now? Will your father keep looking for him?”
He took off his hat and ran his hand through his dark hair. “We’ll find Chase. You can be sure of that.”
Chapter 4
Daniel carried a load of firewood into the sitting room and stacked it on the hearth. That should keep the fire blazing for a couple more hours and give them time to enjoy the evening together.
He glanced around at the cozy scene. Annika and Mariah sat side-by-side on the settee holding a book between them. A lantern on the end table nearby gave off enough light for Mariah to practice her reading. His father sat in the large chair on the right of the fireplace with his newspaper and pipe.
His niece scrunched her face as she focused on the book. “The man … can see the cat in the … tree.”
Annika smiled and nodded. “Very good. Try the next line.”
“The cat will not … come down. What … will the man do?” Mariah huffed and lowered the book. “He’s gonna have to climb up there and carry that old cat down, that’s what.”
His father chuckled and lowered his newspaper. “Sounds like you ought to be writing those stories rather than reading them.”
“Well, I could make a better story than this.” She closed the book and set it beside her on the settee. Her eyes lit up. “Maybe Uncle Daniel could read now.”
“Well, I don’t want to interrupt your lesson.”
Annika looked up and sent him a shy smile. “I think we’d all enjoy hearing the next chapter of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.”
Daniel nodded and took the book from the mantel, pleased that Annika as well as Mariah was enjoying the story. He hoped it would ease the worry lines around her eyes and distract her from her concern for Chase. Seven days with no word was wearing on all of them, but she had to be feeling it more deeply.
He settled into his chair and opened the book, determined to do his best to fill the next hour w
ith a lively story and hopefully lift everyone’s spirits.
On Thursday afternoon, nine days after Annika had arrived at the Simms’s ranch, Annika and Mariah carried two empty laundry baskets outside to the clothesline. Annika set her basket down, scanned the rolling pastureland, and searched for any sign of Chase, but there was none. Where could he have gone? What if he never came back? What would happen to her then?
Her parents had taught her that worry was a sin, so she did her best to catch her anxious thoughts and turn them into a prayer. Pulling in a deep breath, she reminded herself that God knew where Chase was and when he was coming home. Her duty was to trust God and make the best of her situation.
The scent of fresh air and sunshine drifted from the clean cotton sheets dancing in the brisk breeze. Annika tested one of the sheets for dryness. She nodded and plucked a wooden clothespin off the line, then dropped it in her apron pocket. “Pick up that corner, Mariah.”
The girl lifted one side to keep it off the ground while Annika unpinned the other. “Uncle Daniel said it might snow soon. I sure hope so.”
Annika looked up and searched the blue sky. The few wispy clouds overhead didn’t look as though they carried snow, but she’d come to trust Daniel. His years of working on the ranch had taught him common sense and life skills one couldn’t learn at school. It amazed her to see the way he could tame a wild horse, mend a broken fence, nurse a sick calf, and even coax a tired and cranky seven-year-old into finishing her supper.
Yes, Daniel was a fine man—smart, patient, and caring.
Too bad his father didn’t seem to appreciate him. Why did he overlook Daniel’s efforts and continually talk about Chase? Was he trying to convince her she’d made a wise choice by accepting his older son’s proposal, or was this always his habit?
Some days she wished she could give Mr. Simms a good shake and make him notice all that his younger son did around the ranch. Even though she’d only been there a little over a week, she could see how much his father’s uncaring attitude hurt Daniel.
Lord, help them all see how much they need each other.
She put those thoughts aside and glanced at Mariah. “So, it sounds as though you like the snow.”
Mariah nodded and grinned. “Last year, Uncle Daniel and I had a snowball fight, and Grampa took us for a sleigh ride.”
She couldn’t help noticing Mariah hadn’t mentioned her father very often the last few days. She sent off another prayer for Chase as she placed the folded sheet in the basket. “When the snow comes, maybe I can teach you how to make a special treat.”
“What kind?”
Annika took the next sheet off the line. “It’s a delicious candy called Sugar-on-Snow. You make it by pouring hot maple syrup over some clean snow.”
Mariah’s eyes widened. “You pour syrup outside on the snow?”
Annika chuckled. “We usually bring the bowl of snow indoors.”
“I never made that before.”
“I’m sure you’d like it. Do you think your Uncle Daniel—”
The sheets on the line parted, and a man in a dark gray hat poked his head through. “Hello, ladies!”
Mariah spun around. “Papa!” She dropped her end of the sheet in the dirt and jumped into his arms.
He laughed and twirled her around, then tossed her up in the air.
She screamed with delight and dropped back into his arms. “Where’ve you been? Grampa’s been looking all over for you.”
“Oh, don’t worry. I’m home now.”
Annika stared at her future groom. Dust covered his face and clothes, but it couldn’t hide the shadows under his bloodshot, gray-green eyes or the scraggly, reddish-brown whiskers on his chin and upper lip.
“Oh, Papa, I missed you.” Mariah gave him a big kiss on the cheek.
He set her down and looked Annika over with a lazy smile. “Well now, you must be that gal from Chicago. What’s your name, darlin?”
She blinked and swallowed. How could he forget her name after the letters they’d exchanged?
Mariah took his hand and tugged him closer. “That’s Annika, Papa. She came all the way out here on a train to marry you.”
“Mariah!” Daniel charged around the end of the clothesline, worry etched on his face. “Are you all right?” He caught sight of Chase and skidded to a halt.
“Hey there, brother.” Chase staggered over and slapped Daniel on the shoulder. “How ya doing, Danny boy?”
Daniel glared at Chase. “Where’ve you been?”
“In town and around, takin’ care of a little business.”
“It’s been nine days, Chase.”
“Don’t worry. I’m fine … fine and dandy.” He turned and sauntered back toward Annika. “You sure are a quiet little bird, aren’t you?” He laughed and slapped his leg like that was the funniest joke he’d ever heard.
She tried to form a reply, but her mouth suddenly felt as dry as desert sand.
“Well, you might not talk much, but you sure are pretty.” He wiggled his brows. “I really know how to pick ‘em, don’t I, Daniel?” He reached for her. “Come here, sweetheart. Show me what—”
Annika froze.
“That’s enough!” Daniel grabbed his brother’s arm.
“Hey, what ya doin? I wanna talk to my bride.”
“You aren’t talking to anybody until you sober up.” Daniel hauled his brother off toward the barn.
Mariah looked up at Annika. “What’s wrong? Where’s he takin’ my papa?”
Annika shivered. “It’s … all right. He and your uncle just need to talk.”
“You’re a skunk! You know that? A dirty, rotten skunk!” Daniel punched his fist into his palm to keep from busting his brother’s jaw.
Chase leaned back against a stall door and chewed on a piece of straw. “Why are you so riled?”
Daniel whirled around and faced his brother. “You take off for nine days and never tell us where you’re going.
We have to search over half the territory, not knowing if you’re dead or alive. Finally, you show up drunk at three in the afternoon. You upset your daughter and insult your future bride; then you act like there’s nothing wrong!”
“Ah you’re just mad ‘cause you had to do my chores while I was gone.”
Daniel clenched his fists. “Oh, I’m mad all right, but it’s not the extra work or the worry. It’s the way you’re hurting Mariah and Annika.”
Chase scoffed. “I don’t even know that gal. I’ve got no power to hurt her.”
“That gal’s name is Annika. Did you catch it this time? Annika! And you’ve got more power over her happiness than you know.”
“What kind of name is that? German? I thought Pa said she was from Chicago. Well, she better speak English, or I’m not wasting my time with her.”
Daniel glared at his brother, wishing he could kick him all the way to Cheyenne. “You have got to be the most small-brained, stubborn fool I ever met!”
Fire flashed in his brother’s eyes. He spit out the straw and pushed off from the wall. “I’m not listenin’ to any more of your insults.”
Daniel hustled after him and grabbed his arm. “Hold on.”
Chase growled and pulled away. “It ain’t gonna work. I can’t stay around here and marry that gal.”
He’d better think fast, or his brother was going to climb on his horse and disappear over the hills again. “I thought you cared about Mariah.”
Chase stalled in the doorway. “Of course I do.”
“You’d never know it from the way you’re acting.”
Chase swung around and clenched his fists. “You better take that back.”
Daniel stepped closer. “It’s true, and you know it.”
All the starch drained out of Chase, and his eyes glittered with shame. “I love Mariah, but every time I look at her, I see Eliza. I can’t take much more of that.”
“That’s not her fault. She needs you to stick around and do what’s right instead of running off
every time you and Pa have a fight.”
Fire smoldered in Chase’s eyes. “I can’t abide living in the same house with that man. He’s always riding me about taking over the ranch. But there’s only one way to do things—his way! Well I’m tired of it!”
“I know he’s hard to deal with, but he just wants you to stop running wild and face up to your responsibilities. He doesn’t mean to anger you.”
Chase huffed and crossed his arms. “You should’a heard him yellin’ at me in town yesterday.”
“What? He talked to you yesterday?” Why hadn’t Pa told them he’d found Chase in Laramie?
“That’s right. He told me I’d never inherit one acre of this ranch unless I came home and got ready to marry that little gal.”
Daniel sighed and ran his hand down his face. Poor Annika. What had she gotten herself into? Would Chase marry her just to lock in his inheritance? What kind of marriage would that be?
“Listen, Annika’s a sweet girl with a good heart.” Maybe if he kept repeating her name, it would sink in and his brother would remember. “She’s been working real hard to learn how we do things around here. And she’s real good with Mariah. She’s been teaching her how to read and knit. I think she’d make a fine wife.”
Chase scowled. “Not sure I can marry some gal Pa picked out for me.”
“Don’t hold that against her.”
He shook his head. “You think she’s strong enough for ranch life? She don’t look like she’s got enough meat on her bones to make it through winter.”
The worry in his brother’s eyes hit Daniel hard. He’d wondered the same thing. If Chase married Annika and lost her as he had Eliza … His stomach twisted. He straightened and shook off those fearful thoughts. “She seems strong and healthy, but none of us has a guarantee on tomorrow. We’ve all got to put ourselves in God’s hands and trust Him to carry us through whatever’s ahead.”
“Don’t know why I should trust God. He hasn’t done me any favors lately.”
Daniel studied the lines sin and sorrow had cut in his brother’s face, and he felt as though they sliced into his own soul. He loved his brother. Seeing him struggle was hard, maybe harder than going through it himself. But he’d never make the same mistake Chase had by trying to overcome his problems without God’s help.
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