He stroked his chin. She needed to learn. He walked back to his wagon and saw that Maureen had put all the dishes away and was sitting on a crate with her arms folded in front of her. She had a sour look on her face as if he’d done something.
“Do you realize how dangerous it is out in those woods?” His voice got louder with each word. “Have you no feelings for how I felt looking for you only to find you right above my head?”
She turned her back on him. He shook his head; it was decided. She needed some good old-fashioned discipline, and it was for her own good.
He sat down. “Come here lass.” He tried to keep his voice even.
Turning she gave him a frown but did as he said. She gasped in surprise when he pulled her over his lap. She must have realized his intent because she began to struggle.
Finn lifted her skirts and bared her bottom. “This will hurt me more than you.” He slapped her buttocks once, twice, three times and more until it was nice and red.
She screamed, wriggled, and made all kinds of threats to kill him. Finally, she was able to kick him, hard, and when he loosened his hold, she rolled off his lap into a heap on the ground.
Narrowing her eyes at him, she yelled. “If you ever lay a hand on me again, I’ll cut that hand off and feed it to the bears!” She stood up, righted her skirt, and climbed into the wagon.
Maureen didn’t know what hurt more, her rear end or her pride. They both smarted. How dare he? She wasn’t a child who needed to be punished. She’d just been traumatized by the bear and then again by her supposed husband. She lay on her left side. It was the only comfortable way for her to lie. She’d seen her share of abusive husbands and fathers all her life and now she managed to have married one.
Her heart sank. She hadn’t realized how high her hopes were for a good marriage until it all came crashing down. He’d tricked her into thinking he was a kind and gentle man. Tears started, and they wouldn’t stop. Her pillow was soaked before long. He was right about one thing; she had hurt her shoulder again. The pain was worse than before.
She’d work to get the cabin ready before winter. Right now, she didn’t have a choice but she would insist on separate beds or maybe a loft just for her. It would be an extra-long winter keeping to herself, but at least she could look forward to the spring when she could resume building her own cabin.
Her father had never spanked her or her siblings. Her face flamed as she thought of Finn seeing her partially naked. He had no right! She’d never be able to face him again. Well, she didn’t plan to talk to him again so maybe she wouldn’t have to look at him either. She stared at the wagon flap and sighed. It was still morning, which meant it was going to be a long day and she couldn’t spend it in the wagon.
She’d do the laundry. She gathered all the clothes she could find and climbed down from the wagon. Next she went to her own wagon, grabbed more clothes and a washtub. After she built up the fire, she filled pails with water, making sure Finn could see her. Her shoulder made a hard chore all the harder.
It was an all day job, and when Finn came for his noon meal, she didn’t stop working. She ignored him instead. She was glad when he said nothing but made his own meal, drank some coffee, and left. She felt the heat of his gaze many times but she refused to acknowledge him.
Her shoulder hurt more than before and she realized in her anger she’d made it worse. By the time she’d finished she could hardly use her left arm. At last, she found a moment for herself, and she wet a cloth with the cool stream water and lay it against her shoulder. She’d be of no use tomorrow.
Next, she put the awful-smelling salve on it. If she wanted to eat, she’d best make something. She hauled another pail of water from the stream, and her body screamed when she set it down. Kneading dough was out of the question, but she had some vegetables left. It was hard to cut them, but she did the best she could. She cooked them in the pot for a bit before adding water to make soup. It would have to do.
She wished she had a mirror so she could see what damage the spanking had caused. She felt bruised. She was lucky he hadn’t used a belt. Did he have spirits in the wagon? Men were dangerous when they drank. She knew first hand from the family she had been indentured to. She’d often locked her door to keep the mister out of her quarters.
He’d slapped her face a few times leaving such horrible bruises that the priest came by and talked to the mister. After that, he mainly pulled her hair. Did men think because they were bigger they had a right to hit? That didn’t seem right.
She ate before Finn was done and then climbed into the wagon and lay on her good side. When he peeked inside, she closed her eyes and pretended to sleep. She could hear his breathing as he watched her for what seemed like an interminable time.
It didn’t seem to be much later when he climbed into the wagon. She clenched her teeth and fists. She wanted to hit him and yell at him. It wouldn’t help matters, though. She’d need to distance her heart from his since the hurt was almost unbearable. Theirs would be a cold, barren marriage. Loneliness settled around her, and she couldn’t shake it. She was better off than she’d been six months ago, but once again she wasn’t free. How did other women stand it?
Of course, there weren’t many choices for a woman alone. Marriage had seemed to be the least offensive, but perhaps she’d been wrong. If she’d been qualified to do anything else, she’d have jumped at it. She was probably like most women who wished for love and affection. If they didn’t get what they longed for, they just put one foot in front of the other and kept going.
And that was what she would have to do.
Chapter Five
Finn’s heart felt as though it was in a vise. Maureen refused to talk to him. It had been over a week, and boy could that woman carry a grudge. He’d been puzzling over it, and concluded that he must have done it wrong. When his father had spanked his mother, there had been a bit of crying, but then there was laughter behind the closed doors. They come out an hour later looking closer than ever.
He hadn’t even used his belt. He’d been easy on her. She was still favoring her left hand and she refused to allow him to look at her shoulder. She helped with the cabin without a word. He’d tell her what to do, and she simply nodded.
Gone were the smiles, the laughter, and the long looks. How was he going to make things better? She had been in the wrong. She could have been killed. He’d had the right of it, and she was just sulking. And he missed her something fierce.
At the sound of horses, he bade Maureen to hide behind the house. For once, she obeyed without a word. Finn had his hand on his gun while he waited for the riders to come into view.
“Howdy,” a stocky man with brown curly hair greeted.
Finn nodded. “Hello.” He eyed the younger man with him. He was slight of build and had the same hair. Probably the son.
“We’re looking for John Cleary. I’m Marcus Cleary, and this is my boy, Doug. John Cleary is our kin. He was last seen coming out this way to talk to our brother Malcomb. We heard he up and married, a lass, Maureen.”
Finn widened his stance. “I’m afraid Malcomb is dead, and John did come out to inquire about Malcolm, but he left weeks ago. Maureen is now my wife. Is there anything else I can do for you?”
“If that’s the case, we’ve come to claim Malcolm’s land. Women can’t own land, everyone knows that.” Marcus sneered.
Finn shrugged. “You can ask at the claim office, but here in Oregon a woman can own land. She inherits her husband’s land when he dies. You have no business here. There’s plenty of free land. Like I said, ask at the claim office in town.”
“Well, the strangest thing happened. The land office in New Dawn Springs burned down last night. So when I looked at the land map yesterday, this looked to be the best.”
Finn narrowed his eyes. “What happened to Abel? He runs the office.”
“Dead,” Marcus said with a smile. He didn’t even try to pretend he had nothing to do with it.
“Malcolm
’s grave isn’t far if you want to pay your respects.”
“We’re here to get the land. I was hoping the widow would be available to attend to our needs,” Doug said eagerly.
Finn stared at Doug with what he hoped was his steeliest stare. “Like I said, she’s my wife.” He made his voice as hard as possible.
“Not if you’re dead,” Marcus said. He acted as though he had the upper hand.
Upon coming West, Finn had practiced a fast draw and he knew he was quicker than most. He wasn’t so eager to try his skills, but if he had to—
Maureen quickly rounded the corner of the cabin, rifle in hand, looking dead serious. “I’ve already buried one Cleary. Another one won’t bother me. Malcolm didn’t have kin, so get your lying selves off my land.” She cocked the rifle.
“Whoo wee, Pa look at her. She sure is purty.”
“Doug, shut up.” Marcus said, sounding disgusted with his son. “Malcolm was on the outs with the family, but family is still family.”
Maureen walked closer with her rifle at her shoulder. “Not if he said he didn’t have any. Now I suggest you git. And just so you know, there are copies of the land deeds that were sent to Lafayette. If you had bothered to inquire in town, you’d have known that was the law. Instead, you killed Abel. “
“You don’t scare—”
Finn drew his gun and shot a hole clear through Doug’s hat. “Like I said, I suggest you leave.”
Without so much as a glance at his father, Doug wheeled his horse about and galloped away.
Marcus smiled again, but this time his smile wasn’t as confident. “I’m not worried. This will be my land. You can count on it.” He slowly turned his horse around and headed in the direction of town.
Maureen threw down the rifle and went running into Finn’s open arms. She held on to him so tight he found it hard to breathe. He put a slight bit of space between them before he sheltered her in his embrace. His blood sang as it pumped through his body. It was probably the combination of adrenaline due the confrontation with the Clearys and having Maureen in his arms willingly.
“Why? Why do they want my land? I picked it because of the creek. I can’t imagine why there is a constant stream of the fake Clearys showing up wanting land. They didn’t even ask much about where John went.”
Finn caressed the side of her face with his finger. She was so beautiful yet she didn’t seem to know it. “That supposed family is multiplying faster than rabbits. Maybe we need to ride your land and see what all is on it. Have you looked it all over?”
She shook her head. “The farthest I’ve been is to bury John.” She gave him a slight smile. “Contrary isn’t the most comfortable ride. Plus she likes to go where she wants best.” She suddenly frowned and backed away from him as though she suddenly remembered she was mad at him.
Finn ran his hand through his hair. “Maureen, didn’t your pa ever discipline your family? It was common for my da to take my mother into the bedroom, and he used a belt. He used it on all of us.”
She lifted her chin. “My father certainly did not hit my mother!”
“I bet you know plenty of families that followed the man’s rule.”
Her brow furrowed, and she walked away. Perplexed, he watched her draw a dipperful of water from the bucket. Then she stared out at the horizon as she slowly drank the water.
His heart thumped in his chest. What she was thinking? Would their rift ever heal?
Maureen turned and walked to his side. “I would prefer talking things out to being spanked. The man I was indentured to use to slap me around, and I swore I’d never allow another man to lay hands on me.” She took a deep breath and gazed into his eyes. “I need to know now what your answer is before we consummate this marriage.”
Relief surged through Finn as he pulled her into his arms. “I promise never to raise my hand to you again, and if I ever see that man, I will give him a taste of his own treatment.” He was a rewarded with the most delicious hug. It was a hug of trust and affection. He tilted her head and then he put his lips over her ripe ones. He deepened the kiss as she put her arms around his neck. He went slowly so not to scare her. When he lifted his head, the dazed look in her eyes gave him all the confidence in the world. He hadn’t felt that way in a very long time.
“Does this mean we’ve made up?” he asked.
Her smile was shy, and her face grew the sweetest shade of pink. “Yes it does. I’m sorry about the tree, but I was scared speechless. I’ll let you know right now that I do tend to do things without thinking sometimes. No more spankings on my bare… um, my… Well, no more.”
“I promise. Now we need to get back to work if we want a roof over our heads before the first winter. “
She smiled and her eyes were filled with hope and happiness. “Yes let’s make our home.”
The next day she kept her rifle right within reach. Finn had to ride to town and get some supplies, and she insisted on working on the house. Now every little sound sent her into a panic. After a few hours, though, she took her rifle and sat inside the walls leaning against the logs. She was thankful that Finn had taught her how to use the rifle and the gun.
Just as she began to relax, the sounds of hoof beats drifted in from outside. That sounded like more than one horse! Her heart dropped. All she wanted was to live in peace.
She crept to the opening in the cabin where a door would eventually go and cocked the rifle. She stood and put the butt of the rifle against her pained shoulder ready to shoot. “Hands up you measly cowards!”
“A ghrá, it’s me.”
Maureen put the rifle down and walked out. The reason she’d heard more than one horse became instantly apparent. Finn had brought another horse home. Smiling, she hurried over to meet the new horse. She was a beautiful bay.
“Where’d you get her?”
“In town.” He broke into a grin. “She’s for you. Her name is Vala.”
“Chosen! Yes Vala is a good name. I like it. And thank you.” Warmth flowed through her as she patted the horse’s neck. It had been a long time since she’d been given a gift.
“It was worth it to see you smile.” He jumped down off Justice.
Taking the reins, she walked Vala around the area. “It’s a good place to live. You’ll like it here, and Justice is a nice horse.”
Vala nickered, and Maureen grinned. “Yes, I do believe we’ll be friends.” Before she knew it, Contrary was following behind. Maureen laughed. She glanced around and caught Finn’s gaze. His big grin was heart stopping. His dimple was showing, and it made her stomach feel as though it was flipping over. It was time to put any hard feelings away and work together. Though now the sun had heated things a bit, it had been cold that morning. Winter was on its way.
“Was there any news in town?” She gritted her teeth and waited, not wanting the answer.
“Your ‘family’ disappeared. In fact, people saw the two unsavory men but swear their name wasn’t Cleary. I sat in the saloon for a bit hoping to hear some local gossip about the men or the land. I didn’t learn a thing. I did see the sheriff on the boardwalk and he asked how you were.”
Her eyes widened as she frowned. “Why? Why would you take a chance by talking to the sheriff? He’ll be out here and all will be lost to us.” Her heart slammed against her chest at the thought of the sheriff finding out their secrets.
“It’s what normal people would do. We want to appear as normal as possible. I’ve found in America it’s the drifters that usually get blamed for most problems. The good local folks never do.” He flashed another grin. “I like to study people and situations so I can blend in.”
“Part of me wants to call you foolhardy but in fact you’re a wise man, Finn Langley. And I thank you for the horse. We can get twice as much work done around here now.”
Finn’s laugh started as a small rumble that grew deep. “Well we won’t be going in circles for a while before we can get any work done.”
“Contrary was aptly named.�
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His laugh filled her heart. She knew she wouldn’t be able to stay mad at him for very long. He’d made himself at home in her heart.
“Well, Mr. Langley, we don’t have time to waste. We have a house to build.”
He let Justice graze but he staked Vala. Contrary never wandered off. She probably couldn’t find her way. “Yes we do. Work while the sun shines.”
She nodded. “My da used to say the same.”
They worked the rest of the day, teasing each other and having a good time. It was hard work and her movements were limited because of her shoulder but she did what she could.
She went to the wagon to get out the ingredients for biscuits. She’d fry up some bacon to go with it and she had some berry jam. It wasn’t the best dinner but it would have to do. She then went to the stream and washed her hands. As she walked back to the fire, Finn took her hand and led her to a crate.
“You need to rest that shoulder. I’ll make dinner.” He took the coffee pot and filled it with water from the stream.
She’d never known anyone like Finn. He was a kind man, except for his punishment, which he’d promised would not happen again. He acted as though he genuinely cared for her, but how could he? He barely knew her. For all he knew, she was putting on a nice, happy face and she was really a shrew inside. She laughed.
“What’s so funny?” He glanced at her and their gazes met and held.
“I was just thinking how kind you are.”
He cocked his brow. “I see why that would be funny.” He went back to making supper.
“I was thinking that you probably think me nice, but for all you know I could be a shrew.”
This time Finn chuckled. “You, my lass are many things but a shrew you’re not. Though there was a moment or two I wondered.”
She huffed a deep breath. “And just what, might I ask, did you find yourself wondering, Finn Langley?”
He gave her a solemn nod. “Well, now, darlin’, let me tell you. When we first met and I thought you and your husband were in need of assistance, I wondered myself if it would be foolish to offer as you might be a shrew under your… friendly manners.”
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