Faye Favors a Foreman: A Historical Western Romance (Brides with Grit Book 11)

by Linda K. Hubalek

  “Is Violet named after any of your relatives?” Rusty asked to give Faye something else to think about.

  “No, but you’ll be horrified by the name I chose just as Sarah was,” Faye muttered.

  “Try me,” Rusty said, as he slowly swayed back and forth to rock the baby back to sleep.

  “Of course, I don’t know who Violet’s father is, but I named the baby after my favorite customer’s family. Rose for his invalid wife, and Violet for the baby they lost.”

  “That’s actually a nice sentiment, Faye. Does the man know this?”

  “No, but Cate thought I, or her, should write to tell Richard that me and the baby were safe.”

  Rusty wondered if the man felt any kinship to Rose’s baby since he must have seen her during her pregnancy.

  “Did this Richard ever get the chance to meet Violet?”

  Faye finished chewing her sandwich before answering. “No. I wasn’t allowed to have her in my room, especially during working hours. Nursing her was really my only time with her.”

  And so, the mother and child didn’t have a strong bond yet. What a pity for both of them. Rusty’s blood boiled at the inhumanity of it.

  “I could write a letter for you. That way, the postmaster couldn’t tip off the saloon owner of your whereabouts. What did…your friend do for a living?”

  “He had a dry goods store in town. A letter from a man he might be doing business with, would be better than mailed from Cate or me, wouldn’t it?”

  Faye slowly rocked now, at ease talking with him. But then she was used to talking to men, wasn’t she?

  “I suppose so. I’ll ask Cate about writing Richard and see what she says. How’s come you’re so comfortable holding Violet? She’s really happy to be in your arms.”

  “I’ve had a lot of practice with children lately, as you can guess. Widow Williams moved into my cabin, and I moved into the bunkhouse after her husband died. Being just widowed and very heavy with child—and having three little kids anyway—was overwhelming her. Isaac wanted her on the homestead, so we’d be available to help out. Maggie and Marty spent most of their time with me and the hands rather than being home with Mrs. Williams. And sweet Maisie too when she’d sneak out of the cabin.”

  “I noticed there’s a swing in the tree by the cabin.”

  “Between the swing, dogs, and ranch hands we did all right with occasionally overseeing three kids until the triplets were born. Then Sarah and Cate moved into the house to take over, thank goodness.”

  Rusty sighed as the baby nuzzled against his neck. Why did such a sweet, innocent baby have to go through such trying times for her start of life? Right then and there Rusty vowed to help the infant, and her mother. For some unexplained reason, Rusty was drawn to both of them.

  Faye sighed, crossing her arms across her thin chest, and rocking a little harder as if something agitated her.

  “I can’t believe Isaac didn’t know I wasn’t living with my grandmother,” Faye huffed.

  “If your grandmother didn’t let Isaac know, how would he?”

  “True. Knowing my grandmother, I’m sure she sent Isaac a Christmas letter every year, thanking him for the money on my behalf, never mentioning I wasn’t there to use it,” she snorted in disgust.

  “You had a letter with Isaac’s address though. Why didn’t you write and tell him where you were?” Rusty asked because it wasn’t fair to blame Isaac for what he was trying to do for Faye.

  Faye’s head turned her gaze away from Rusty again. She didn’t answer, and Rusty didn’t bother saying anything either. His loyalty was with Isaac, and he didn’t want Faye to hurt his employer and friend any more than he was now.

  “Because I was stupid,” Faye furiously whispered. “Stupid cause I didn’t think of that, and stupid because I couldn’t write a decent letter, to begin with.”

  Faye started hitting her forehead with her fists, surprising Rusty with her violent outburst.

  “Hey, hey! Stop that! Your daughter is watching!” Rusty said as he laid a hand on Faye’s shoulder to stop her actions.

  Faye quickly turned to look at her baby, and Rusty leaned over so Faye could look at her child.

  “Oh, I’m so sorry, Baby,” Faye murmured as she reached to take Violet from Rusty’s arms and laid the infant against her shoulder.

  Even though Faye reverted back to the infant’s original name, at least her motherly instinct kicked in.

  Rusty knelt down by the rocker so he could be eye level with Faye.

  “Maybe you didn’t think of writing to Isaac before Violet was born, but you thought to find him later to protect your child. Things will turn around for you and your baby now.”

  “Why will things change? I’m an outsider showing up to disrupt their lives,” Faye sniffed while clutching her baby.

  “No, Faye. You’re a long-lost niece and sister, coming home. Your family will accept you if you accept—and appreciate—them.”

  “But they think I’m just here to mooch on them,” Faye countered.

  “Considering the help your sister needs, think of it as working for room and board then.”

  “Sarah’s bossing me around,” Faye whined, but Rusty would have none of that. Faye may have had a hard life, but the reverse was now true. She and her baby would want for nothing thanks to Isaac.

  “Faye, Sarah has her hands full taking care of eight orphans. Plus, she’s upset hearing the fact her father is Felix instead of Moses.”

  “But—”

  “No buts, Faye. If you don’t like life on the Cross C, you can leave,” Rusty said but clamped his mouth shut before he said more.

  “But—”

  “Good night, Faye. I need my sleep.”

  And with his final words, Rusty went back into his home, firmly shutting the door to keep out the noise on the porch. But whether he could fall back to sleep was debatable.

  Chapter 4

  Why did Rusty get upset and leave? She tried to explain to him that she was hurt by Isaac’s and her father’s actions too, but he wouldn’t let her finish talking.

  Why was Rusty rude to her? She didn’t expect all this drama when she arrived at the ranch. Isaac was the one that hadn’t checked in on her for years. Faye would have much rather had his visits instead of his money. But instead, she hadn’t received either.

  And how was she to know her uncle’s house was being overrun with a passel of kids?

  Faye thought of Rusty’s words as she carefully walked back across the dirt yard to the big house, holding a sleeping Violet against her chest.

  Why couldn’t the two of them be awake and asleep at the same time? Because Faye had been working nights, and who knew what Beulah did with the baby during the day. For having a three-month-old baby, Faye had to admit she hadn’t spent much time with her until Faye boarded the train to Clear Creek. Then she hadn’t been separated from her baby since, which was kind of strange too.

  “Want to keep me company for a few minutes?”

  Faye stumbled, not realizing Cate was sitting in the porch swing as she walked up the porch steps.

  “All right. If there’s no babies to feed, I’ll sit down a spell. I’m wide awake anyway,” Faye agreed, shivering at the thought of how she used to spend her night hours until a few days ago.

  “I couldn’t sleep either, so I decided to take advantage of the night breeze and sit outside for a while,” Cate said as she halted the swing long enough for Faye to sit down on the opposite end.

  It was a big swing, big enough to hold four adults or a bunch of little kids. Faye wondered if it had always been here, or if the swing was added since the arrival of the children. If Isaac lived here alone, he hadn’t needed such a big swing.

  “It’s awful quiet here,” Faye said, looking out into the dark night. Night time in Kansas City on their street meant constant noise. People talking or shouting. The piano playing in the saloons. Drunks heaving or pissing in the alley.

  Faye took a deep breath and concent
rated on the howls of the distant pack of coyotes and the nearby snorts of the horses in the barn corral. She was safe here.

  “But isn’t it peaceful tonight? Sometimes storms, winter or summer, howl across the prairie, but not tonight. And I need the quiet tonight,” Cate confessed.

  What did you say to the woman your father had hurt? It happened before Faye was born, but her arrival brought it all fresh into Cate’s mind. Faye couldn’t comprehend her father doing such an act against another woman, especially since she’d been on the end of a man’s abuse more than once and knew the terror of the act.

  “I don’t understand why my papa hurt you, Cate, but I’m sorry,” Faye whispered the words, overwhelmed with embarrassment and hurt.

  “I won’t excuse his behavior, but he was drunk and mad at Isaac. It happened a long time ago. My only regret is how much it’s hurt Sarah. She idolized her father, Moses, and was so happy to adopt a child who had his name already.”

  “And my arrival hurt everyone because it brought up the past,” Faye wiped at the tears that dribbled down her cheeks.

  “Yes, it did, but you’re an innocent victim too. Your father’s actions were not your fault. You, Sarah, and Isaac need to come to terms with that. That’s the only thing to do. Nine children are counting on us to provide a happy home for them now.”

  Faye laid Violet down on her lap, still having a hard time believing the baby was hers forever. The baby gave a little sigh as it turned its head and settled back to sleep.

  “Why doesn’t Violet act like the other babies or even Maisie? Violet’s quiet all the time, doesn’t cry or smile when someone picks her up. I didn’t think of that until supper tonight and realized how vocal the little ones were, except for Violet.”

  Cate knew Faye was changing the subject, but it was something Faye worried about now.

  “Part of the difference is the triplets, and Maisie, are each other’s competition, and they’re trying to get attention. In this household, a noisy baby gets attention, food, or a dry bottom.

  “I guess that Violet spent so much time alone, without anyone coming to her cries, that it made her give up making noise,” Cate answered as she brushed the back of her hand across Violet’s crown.

  “I hate to say it, but you’re most likely right. Violet spent most of her short life in a basket in the kitchen pantry, rather than with me or in someone else’s arms. The other girls wanted to fuss over her, but Mr. Silas got mad.”

  “Were there other babies living in the brothel while you lived there?”

  “Mr. Silas made sure we lost our babies before they were born, or left them on the doorstep of the orphanage,” Faye answered bitterly.

  “Why did Violet get to stay then?”

  “I heard someone say Mr. Silas thought Violet was a prominent man’s baby, and Mr. Silas was going to sell Violet to him. That night I got lucky with the rich drunk and took off for the train depot.”

  “And for all the drama it’s caused, I’m so glad you arrived here safe and sound. I think Violet will become more vocal as she interacts with the rest of the babies and children. Maggie will get her to smile before you know it,” Cate said with assurance.

  “Maggie wants to be a little momma to all of the little ones. She’s kind of fun to watch,” Faye admitted. “I wish I had a sibling or two growing up.”

  Well, she did, but Sarah and her brothers had a nice normal childhood here in Clear Creek, while Faye lived confined in her grandmother’s house, and then in the brothel.

  Faye’s back stiffened with the thought. Why didn’t her father marry her mother and give them a decent home and life?

  “What was Sarah like, when she was young?” Faye blurted out, wondering what she had missed.

  “A tomboy, trying to keep up with her older brothers,” Cate sighed. “And the apple of her father’s eye. Moses spoiled her, being the only girl of the family.”

  “But did he know…she wasn’t his?”

  “I think in the back of our minds, we both knew who Sarah’s biological father was, but she was our child, and we raised her with love. I’m sorry you didn’t have that chance with your own parents, Faye.”

  “Me, too,” Faye whispered back.

  Cate scooted close to Faye and put her arm around her shoulders.

  “Now you have the chance to start over and make a good life for Violet and yourself. But I want you to promise you’ll do your best to become a part of this family. Sarah, Marcus, and their children are your family, forever. Isaac and I will also give you support, but you have to pull your weight around here too.”

  “I don’t know if Sarah wants me here, though.”

  “Not only was Sarah deeply hurt by the recent revelations, she has the stress of taking care of eight children. Help her out, even if you have to bite your tongue now and then. She’s been the spoiled baby sister, and now she has to change her role to be a big sister to you.”

  Faye nodded, understanding what Cate was telling her. She could no longer use the excuse that Mr. Silas was in charge of her life. Faye needed to be an adult and take care of her own responsibilities and become part of the new life that had been handed to her.

  Faye thought back to talking to Rusty this evening. They hadn’t ended the conversation on good terms, but Faye knew why now. He was upset because she whined about Sarah. She should apologize the next time she saw Rusty. Maybe when Rusty wrote her letter to Richard?

  “Um, Rusty said he’d write a letter to Richard Chaney for me. A man-to-man letter so no one in town could report back to Mr. Silas where I’d gone. Would that be all right, you think?”

  “Yes, I do. Rusty is a good man, Faye, and he’s been on this ranch since it was built because Isaac trusts him. You can count on him to help and protect you,” Cate advised her.

  Faye quickly turned to face Cate. “What are you saying?”

  “You’ve been with men, whether you wanted to or not. You are no longer in that profession, but there will be men around here who will try to take advantage of you since you aren’t married. Don’t let yourself get into a situation where you might be harmed. But if you’re having problems, go to Isaac or Rusty for help.”

  Faye bowed her head, ashamed of her past, and now worried about her future too. She thought her worries were gone, but they could still float to the surface if people found out what she did in Kansas City.

  Cate touched Faye’s night braid before removing her arm from Faye’s shoulder.

  “I’m still a little shocked when I look at you. Your dark-hair and facial expressions…even your mannerisms are so similar to Sarah’s. I wish you could have grown up together.”

  Me too.

  “Let’s go back to bed. It won’t be long before the cows are milked at dawn and the babies are ready for their breakfast bottles. And all those diapers to wash…”

  Faye rolled her eyes to the ceiling. “I will not put Violet in a basket of clean diapers again, I promise. Sarah won’t let me forget my mistake.”

  Cate stood and waited for Faye to carefully move Violet to her shoulder. They walked together to the front screen door, and Cate opened it for Faye to enter first.

  Faye padded inside, listening for the cry of an awake child. The house was quiet except for the chimes of the parlor clock announcing it was three o’clock. They didn’t light a lamp because the moonlight shone brightly through the downstairs windows as they climbed the stairs.

  “See you in a few hours,” Cate whispered in Faye’s ear after she’d wrapped an arm around Faye’s shoulders to stop her a second. Then Cate left Faye at the top of the stairs to walk to her own bedroom. Faye watched her go, still marveling at Cate’s unexpected touches to her shoulders. Faye was never hugged by her grandmother, and she barely remembered her mother touching her.

  Faye kissed the top of Violet’s tiny head, inhaling the unique sweet scent of her baby. She’d been given a chance to be a good mother now, thanks to running away to this ranch.

  Chapter 5

&nbs
p; Rusty looked around the yard surrounding the house. Earlier today he and a few of the ranch hands had set up long folding tables on the lawn and brought out chairs from the house to seat the large group. The women had spread quilts on the ground for the young children to sit on, and the Reagan boys sat on the porch to eat. At least everyone had brought food to contribute to the meal for—he had to think—thirty-seven people, although almost half were children.

  It was a warm evening with just enough breeze to keep the mosquitoes at bay. All the children, puppies, and dogs were running around laughing, screaming, or crying, depending on the moment and who pushed who to the ground.

  The potluck meal had been served, consumed, and now everyone sat talking around their table. Men were grouped around one table now, sipping the last of the coffee from their cups. The women were sitting on the other side of the lawn, with children running between both groups.

  The women sat in a group, holding the babies and toddlers in their laps, Cate was free to relax and visit with Kaitlyn Reagan. Cate had asked the Reagans to join them tonight so Pastor could have private talks with Sarah and Faye—should the girls want guidance. Rusty noticed Sarah and Pastor took a walk earlier this evening. When the two came back from their walk, they asked Faye to join them, so hopefully, Pastor gave them advice on what to tell people about being sisters.

  At first, Faye looked nervous, fidgeting with Violet’s little curl of hair until Rusty wanted to go over and pick up the baby to calm all three of them down. But eventually, Faye was caught up in the banter of the women and relaxed.

  Now a tot’s mad scream pierced Rusty’s ears. Maisie was upset that Sarah was holding Darcie’s baby girl, Amelia. Maisie had been jealous of the triplets, so she was having a fit over her momma holding yet another baby. Cate was getting out of her chair to soothe the child when family friend Dagmar Hamner picked the crying girl up in his arms.

  “Hey, Maisie Daisy? What’s the problem? You can tell your Uncle Daggy all about it while you…. fly like a bird!” Dagmar held Maisie up in the air, pretending to swoop her up and down like she was flying. The little girl stuck her arms out above her head, giggling and smiling while she pretended she was a bird. Maisie forgot her jealousy with Dagmar’s attention, and the adults chuckled as the other little children lined up for “flying” time, too.