“Elias?”
He turned with a curious expression, eyebrows lowered. “Yes?”
“You are a very attractive man. I want you to know that.”
Surprised flickered and slowly his lips lifted. “Thank you. It’s nice to know.” He started to say something else and she interrupted.
“You don’t have to reply in kind. However, I do wish to speak to you about...us.”
“I’m curious to know what’s on your mind. You don’t normally wish to have a conversation.” His words were curt, like those of a person expecting bad news. Of course, based on the way things were, they rarely had a pleasant conversation or any conversation at all, for that matter.
Once settled beside her, Elias turned to face her. “What is it you wish to speak about?”
The most unwelcome combination of dread in the pit of her stomach and heat to her face made her look away. She allowed her gaze to travel down to his chest and became entranced at the pattern of hair spread in a light T pattern across and down the center.
“I want us to be closer, to care for each other. Surely there is something we can do to become more like Evan and Aurora.”
He was silent and she expecting the worst. Esther steeled herself for whatever he’d say.
“I’d like that, too.”
Her eyes shot to his face. “Truly?”
Instead of a reply, he nodded and reached for her face. Cupping her jaw, Elias met her gaze and let out a breath. “I was not prepared for married life. I admit to you that, at times, I wish I’d not hurried into this. But at the same time, I don’t want to not be married to you. Not sure if it makes any sense.”
“I understand. We are practically strangers and, although we’re married, it doesn’t mean we’re suited.”
He pressed a soft kiss to her lips, sending trickles of awareness down her body. “I do believe we’re suited. However, I also think we have to work together to make our marriage work.”
Unable to keep from it, Esther pressed her palm onto his chest and slid closer to Elias. “I am sorry for misjudging you, for bringing my reservations from my past to our marriage. It won’t happen again.”
His Adam’s apple moved as he swallowed. “Let’s forget it. I shouldn’t have reacted by being distant, not spending time at home. I will do better. I promise.”
When Elias encircled her body with his arms, Esther gave in to him. Needing to be close to seal their promises to one another, they made love. Not in the hurried way, but exploring one another and connecting not just in body.
Elias’ soft breaths brought a soft smile as Esther watched him sleep. Hope flourished and she could barely wait to see what awaited them.
Chapter 18
They spoke almost the entire ride back, growing closer with each passing mile. Elias enjoyed the sound of Esther’s laughter as he recounted stories of traveling west with his brothers. Although he left out information about their life back east purposely, he informed her of who his parents were and of his sister. The brothers kept in touch with all of them.
Esther didn’t volunteer much about her family and he understood why. Obviously, they’d not opened their home to her when she needed them most. He hoped that when he became a father, he’d not be so heartless if any of his children needed to return home.
As it was barely mid-afternoon, they had plenty of time to arrive home for him to get his work done. The thought of returning to the house didn’t sit at all well. He feared they’d, once again, fall into the pattern of not speaking and becoming distant. Although it was something he could bring up, Elias couldn’t find the words to describe what he felt.
Realizing they’d been silent for a few moments, he stole a glance at Esther. She sat upright, her shawl pulled tight over a coat and still she shivered. “You’re cold. We’re almost home.”
“It’s so cold yet. I would think it would begin to warm up. It’s almost spring.”
Elias couldn’t help but laugh. “It doesn’t warm up in Montana until May, sometimes late May.”
She shuddered. “Goodness.”
Just as he was about to tell her there was still the possibility of another snowstorm blowing through, riders appeared in the distance. He nudged the handle of the gun with his elbow not wanting to alarm Esther, while ensuring he was armed.
Whoever the men were, the trio did not look familiar and a sense of panic filled him as he noticed one of them held his gun. “Get in the back of the wagon,” he instructed and slowed down. “Hurry.”
“Do you know them?” Esther asked while scrambling to do as he asked. She held on to the backrest and climbed to the back.
“No, I don’t recognize them.”
He unholstered his gun, not slowing down further. He kept the horses at a steady pace, one hand on the reins.
One of the men held up a hand. “Don’t mean no harm. Just heading to town.” The stranger called out. “We headin’ in the right direction?”
Elias nodded while keeping his gaze on the man who held his gun. “Why are you holding that gun out?”
The man’s lips curved. “Habit.”
A shot rang out and Elias called out Esther’s name as he crumpled forward.
Pain seared and he did what he could to keep from falling to the ground. Sure that if he moved the man would shoot again, Elias remained motionless, his handgun on the floorboard. There was a shotgun in the back, but he doubted Esther knew how to use it.
“Give me all your money,” a hard voice said, followed by whistle. “Well, aren’t you a beauty?”
There was scuffling and he wondered what happened. Elias kept his face down, gaze on his gun. As soon as the men tried something, he’d go for it and do his best to shoot at least one of the bastards.
“Why you hiding under that blanket?” another man asked. “Scared to show us what you look like?”
A chuckle sent anger rushing through Elias’ veins, the pain no longer strong enough to keep him from moving. From the corner of his eye, he noted the man who’d shot him had neared, while the other two remained back. They seemed unsure about what the one man did. Neither had drawn their guns.
“Let’s go, Arnold,” one of them said. “Get whatever they have and let’s go.”
“No hurry. Her husband can’t help her.”
“Get away from me,” Esther said, her voice laced with a steely edge. “I won’t hesitate to shoot you.”
The man looked to the others, who drew their horses back,. Elias dove to the floorboard, grabbed his pistol and shot at the man. Two shots rang out. As he scrambled to look over the bench, he prayed Esther was not dead.
* * *
Esther’s ears rung as she did a quick inventory. No pain, nothing seemed amiss physically, yet horror seized her. She’d shot the man, at least she thought that's what happened. The other two had galloped away, which was reassuring in a way.
There was noise, someone moved and she lifted the shotgun again. Her entire body shook so hard, it would be a wonder if she could hit anything.
“Esther.” His face peering down at her from the bench was followed by Elias’ bloody hand holding a gun. “Are you hit?”
It was hard to control the trembling in her voice. Relief mixed with fear. The man could still be alive and about to accost them again. “No. I think I shot him. Is he dead?”
Elias grimaced as he leaned over slowly to look, his gun pointed down at the ground beside the wagon. “Seems to be.”
“I killed him?” She dropped the shotgun, her hands numb from holding it so tightly. Esther covered her face and mouth. Her romanticizing had skewed her expectations of the west. This was not a place for sensibilities and a life of normalcy seemed to be the exception, not the norm. Not yet there a year and, already, she’d committed a horrible sin. Taken someone’s life. Her chest heaved as she fought not to cry. She realized Elias was hurt and counted on her to help him get back to town.
* * *
Somehow, after much work, she managed to get Elias comfortable in the back
and guided the horses back to town. The entire time she was terrified of running in to the other men. She figured they’d gone in a different direction than town. That a man was willing to kill and risk his life to take someone’s money was incredible to her. A man lay on the ground now dead because he tried to rob them. And although horrible guilt assaulted her, Esther kept reminding herself that the dead man had tried to kill Elias.
“I don’t need to be back here. I can manage the horses,” Elias argued, again bringing her to the present. “I think the bullet went through.” As hard as he tried to sound strong, there was the breathlessness of someone in pain.
“I can see town. We’re almost there. I’m sure Evan will agree with me that it’s best he examine you to ensure you are okay.”
Thankfully, Evan had spotted them and stood outside, both hands on his hips. “What happened?”
“Someone held us up. They shot Elias.” Esther allowed her brother-in-law to help her down and, together, they rounded the wagon.
Elias’ head was lulled to the side but he managed to roll his eyes as if bothered by their attention. “I’m fine.”
“By that pale face, I’d say you lost a lot of blood. Now stop being stubborn and let me help you down.” Evan spoke matter-of-factly, but the strain showed in his pinched brow and tensed jaw. Her brother-in-law motioned for a nearby man. “Come help me out, please.”
Together, the men assisted Elias, who kept insisting he just needed some rest. At seeing the trail of blood when they pulled Elias to the edge of the wagon, Esther had to grip the edge with both hands. Everything tilted and she had to take several breaths to keep from wavering.
“What happened?” Aurora rushed to them with a basket on her arm. Obviously, her cousin had been to the mercantile. “Esther, are you harmed?”
Esther assured her quickly, not wanting fear to affect Aurora, being she was with child. “I’m fine. Elias was shot, but he’s conscious.” She searched the street ensuring the other two men had not followed.
Aurora turned and motioned a young boy over. She handed the boy a coin. “Go get Sheriff Blake. Hurry now.” The boy nodded quickly and raced off.
“My goodness. Seems we can’t get a day’s rest in this town. When it’s not one thing, it’s another.” Aurora grabbed Esther’s arm. “Come inside. I better make you some tea to calm your nerves.” With a strong grip, she tugged Esther toward the clinic. “Gladys, we need to boil water.”
Esther could barely keep up. Aurora and a woman who’d appeared at the clinic began working. They pulled bandages and placed items on a tray. Water boiled in a kettle and in a pot on a small wood-burning stove in a corner of the clinic.
Evan had removed Elias’ shirt. Whatever he did made Elias grunt in pain. “Do you have to be so rough?” Elias complained. “Ouch.”
“I didn’t push that hard,” Evan mumbled.
“That smarts,” Elias said with gritted teeth. “I think I’d rather let Filbert see to my wound than you.”
“Sounds like brothers.” Aurora neared and handed Esther a cup. “Drink now. He’s going to be fine.”
“What if the wound festers? There can be an infection.” She couldn't look away from Elias. “I am not sure what to do. I’ve never seen someone shot before.”
“Neither have I,” Elias replied. “Not up close anyway.” He lifted his head and looked to her then his stomach. “Ouch, Evan will you stop?”
When Evan poured something into the wound, Elias let out a string of curses that made Esther gasp. Unfazed, Gladys shoved a piece of leather into Elias’ mouth. “Bite down. He’s going to do it again.”
“Would you like to wait outside?” Aurora touched Esther’s hand. “Evan has to stitch him up and that’s going to hurt. He doesn’t seem to have a high tolerance for pain.”
“No he doesn’t,” Evan agreed, shaking his head. “Be still Elias or I’ll tie you down.”
Elias lifted his head and glared at his brother. “I’m going to punch you.”
“Let’s go outside.” Aurora grabbed Esther’s hand and pulled her to the door. It was all Esther could do not to spill most of her tea.
Once outside, Aurora walked to a set of rockers and settled into one, indicating the other. “Tell me what happened.”
“I shot a man. At least I thought I did. Elias assures me, he shot the man. Maybe we both did. I don’t know.”
“They held you up. You said he shot Elias.” Aurora leaned forward. “Serves him right.”
Esther couldn’t believe her ears. “How can you say that? Someone is dead. I am still shaking.” She held out a trembling hand. “We’ve traveled back and forth to town so often. It never occurred to me that we could be accosted. How dangerous it could be.”
“It’s reasonable that you’re upset. I would be, too. But, dear cousin, you must understand, life here is very different. I didn’t mean to sound flippant about it. But you must agree, anyone who shoots an innocent deserves what he gets.”
Never in a million years would Esther have thought to discuss her shooting a man to death while drinking tea.
While Aurora didn’t seem to be overly shocked she also didn’t act as if Esther should feel any guilt. It made Esther wonder about her situation.
Was that what the west did to a person? Make you callous and matter of fact about the challenges of life?
Whether she or Elias killed the man that held them up didn’t matter to her at the moment. What did was the nagging in the back of her mind that everything up to this point was a colossal mistake.
She wasn’t meant for this, not for life in the west, not for marriage to Elias. He deserved someone who was stronger, who could help him and not hinder him.
“Esther, please don’t cry. I know today has been shocking.” Aurora pressed a hand on Esther’s shoulder. “Let’s go check on Elias.”
Chapter 19
Having remained an additional day at everyone’s insistence was bothersome. Upon arriving back at his ranch, Elias was relieved that everything seemed to be well in hand.
Filbert listened attentively to what had happened to them and shook his head. “Times are bad. More and more desperate people are out to rob and such just to eat.”
“There’s no need for drastic measures. There is always plenty of work and if they ask for food or such, there are plenty of people who will feed them.”
The older man scratched his head. “I suppose you’re right.”
Bothersome as it was, Elias took care not to overexert himself that day. It wouldn’t do to tear out the stitches on the small wound. Esther would not allow it, anyway.
When he entered the house, she sat in a chair looking out the large picture window toward the pond. He followed her line of sight to a still mostly bare patch of trees. “In a few weeks, everything will be green. You’ll enjoy the view more.”
She turned to him, a soft smile on her lips. Her gaze traveled to his side before looking up. “I enjoy it now. It’s almost like a painting.” Her brow creased. “Are you being careful?”
Knowing it was necessary to assure her, Elias neared and leaned over to press a kiss at her temple. “Yes, I am careful. It’s only a small wound.”
“Evan said it is deep and we have to take care it stays clean.” She hesitated before meeting his gaze. “I wonder if what happened was a sign. A deterrent to us...I don’t know, working our relationship out.”
Aurora had warned him about Esther’s tendency to overthink things. His sister-in-law had pulled him aside with the excuse of needing to check his wound and talked to him about his wife.
“She will churn things in her mind until they turn to butter. It’s best not to give in to whatever her fear at the moment is. Esther has always been like that, too cautious for her own good.”
“If anything, it made me realize how precious life is and how fortunate I am to have you in my life.” He took her hand. “How about we retire early?”
At the Hamilton ranch, Esther felt comfortable and secure. Elias
would be gone for several weeks and he insisted she remain with Wilhelmina or Aurora while he did. She’d considered Aurora first but, after more thought, decided to stay with Wilhelmina since it gave her the opportunity to discuss options for becoming a seamstress with both her and Lucille.
She’d yet to broach the subject again with Elias. The first time he’d been firmly against her doing any sort of work. Perhaps, she’d presented it in a manner that was offensive to him. It did not occur to her that in requesting to make extra money, she insinuated lack of trust in him.
“Sewing from home is not a bad idea. You can order a machine through the general store in town and put up signage.” Wilhelmina was most supportive of her endeavor, which gave Esther hope.
She continued pressing the clothes she’d brought in from the clothesline. “I have to find a way to convince Elias of my need to do this.”
“Honestly, Esther. Just tell him the truth. That you enjoy sewing for others and that it’s not about the money as much as needing something to fill your time with things that make you happy.”
Since she’d been young, she’d enjoyed sewing and watching the delight as people tried on her creations. Not just gowns and dresses, but she’d also made shirts, underclothing and children’s clothing until her husband had deemed it unbecoming of his wife to work for others. When she could no longer afford fabrics, she missed the feel of it between her fingers, the creativity of making things.
“I did miss sewing. I have made quite a few items since arriving. As a matter of fact, I meant to ask when we are going to town. I want to purchase fabric to make Elias some shirts.”
Wilhelmina smiled at her. “I’m glad to know you are not afraid to travel back and forth to town. What happened to you and Elias is not the norm.”
“I’m sure it’s not. I hate to admit, finding out it was not me who killed the man made me feel better.”
“You shot off his ear from what Marcus told me.” Wilhelmina shook her head. “Served the scoundrel right.”
Esther, An Easter Bride (Brides for all Seasons Book 4) Page 9