Esther frowned. “I am not sure that I can ever get used to the thought of someone dying right in front of me.”
“And you shouldn’t, of course,” Wilhelmina replied.
* * *
Two weeks passed and Esther became restless, ready for Elias’ return. Each day that passed, she missed him more and wondered what he did. She constantly pushed away thoughts of something horrible happening that would cause him to delay his return or not come home at all.
When several more days passed, she insisted Marcus and Wilhelmina take her home. There was much to do to prepare for Elias’ return.
Filbert didn’t seem as worried and assured her that traveling with a herd was never a timely thing. Not wanting to discuss the matter further, she gave him a list of items to purchase in town and insisted he ask about anyone hearing or seeing Elias.
Wyatt came to the house, taking the responsibility of watching over her seriously. The young man refused to step inside. Instead, he sat on the porch with a shotgun across his lap.
“Do you really think it’s necessary for you to sit there like a prison guard?” Esther leaned on the doorjamb. “I’m sure there’s a lot of work you could be doing. Just remain within earshot.”
“Mr. Filbert insisted I stay on the porch until he returns.” The young man straightened in his chair and scanned the area. “Never know who can be about.”
“Have you seen anyone lately, Wyatt?”
The boy considered his reply. “A peddler came through a couple days back. Camped out there by the creek.”
“Very well. I will let you know when supper’s ready. You will come inside and eat.”
* * *
Two days later, Esther stood next to the house where she planned to garden. It was warm enough for her to spend time outdoors, pondering what she’d plant and where. Her ankle no longer bothered her. From the barn, she could sense either Filbert or Wyatt watching her. They’d not allowed her hardly any time alone, even sleeping in front of the house next to a bonfire.
Although she appreciated their watch, Esther felt guilty at having to put them out for the few days she’d been there. Neither seemed to mind overly much, as they’d been in good spirits most mornings when she insisted they come inside for breakfast.
Her cooking had improved to the point it made her proud. When Elias returned, she’d already planned a large meal that would include Wyatt and Filbert. Hopefully, within days of his return, they’d go to town so she could see Aurora. It had been almost a month since she’d spent time with her cousin and she missed her greatly.
A rider appeared in the distance and, immediately, Esther looked toward the barn. Neither Filbert nor Wyatt watched at the moment, so she walked to the building to warn them of the approaching man.
Shadowing her face with her right hand, she narrowed her eyes in the direction of the rider. He seemed familiar, but was still too far away for her to get a clear look.
“Filbert. Someone comes this way,” Esther called out into the dimness of the stables, keeping watch on the approaching rider who’d brought his horse to a gallop.
The older man and Wyatt rushed to stand beside her. The trio waited for the rider and horse to get closer.
“It’s Mr. Jones,” Wyatt announced with a wide grin. “He’s come home.”
Her heart skipped several beats and Esther broke out into a run towards the rider. A wide smile split her face when she stopped and lifted her hands to her hair. She’d not considered her appearance. Dirt streaked across the bottom of her skirt and there was a tear at the hem.
Too late to do anything about it, Esther kept her eyes on her husband’s face and he on hers. Butterflies tumbled in her stomach at seeing he was well and handsome as ever.
In that instant, Esther realized she was madly in love.
Chapter 20
The days passed without incident. However, the excitement of waking every morning next to her husband changed.
Elias had been overly eager to join her in bed upon arriving. Yet every day that passed since, her husband, once again, began to grow distant.
The wall between them, although not always as tangible, nonetheless existed. Besides supper and sleeping in the same bed, he wasn’t attentive. He didn’t seem to notice her at all when they were in the house together.
Doubt began to nibble at her subconscious until, one day, a peddler arrived. The cheerful older man seemed to know Elias and they spoke of his other visits as Esther browsed through the man’s offerings. She’d moved to the other side of the cart, so they could not see her when the man asked Elias about her.
“Nice to see you found you a good woman this time,” the man said in a low voice, with a chuckle.
Esther could not hear Elias’ reply. But it sounded as if whatever he said was serious because the peddler murmured something in agreement. Then in a louder voice, the peddler continued with “Can’t always win at love, young man.”
They walked a few feet away and continued talking as Esther lifted a beautiful, carved comb. She didn’t quite notice anything about it other than its weight. She wondered who the woman was that had been there when the peddler had last visited. It sounded as if Elias had been in love before. Was that it? His heart still belonged to a woman who’d lived there?
Finally, she understood the reason why things had been difficult and why Elias pulled back. Whoever he had loved had broken his heart. Perhaps, he was still in love with someone else.
Carefully placing the comb back, she walked to the house. Once inside, she lowered to a chair.
Elias said from the doorway, “The man is leaving. Did you want anything else?”
“No. Thank you.” Esther stood. “I will pay for the items.”
“I already did,” Elias replied in a curt tone. “I can well afford a few trinkets.”
“I didn’t mean to offend you. It’s just that I have money and don’t want you to think I am taking advantage or anything.”
There was a tightening of his jaw. “Why would I think that? You’ve given me no reason to feel that way. If anything, you rarely spend much. I am assuming you’ve paid for the fabric for all the clothes in the other room on your own.”
“Yes, I did.” Her words sounded hollow, even to her own ears. Why she’d not discussed her love of sewing with him evaded her. A part of her had yet to let go of the fact she could trust Elias. He was not her past, but the present. It was a mistake and, although realizing it, Esther could not bring herself to put everything in someone else’s hands.
By outward appearances, he seemed relaxed. But his gaze was flat, his arms crossed and his lips pressed into a tight light. Elias was anything but at ease. “Can you tell me who all those clothes are for?”
“I owe you an explanation.”
Wyatt came up behind Elias. “Mr. Jones, riders are headed this way.”
Instantly, dread filled Esther. She jumped to her feet and dashed to the window. In the distance, three riders neared.
The front door closed. Esther leaned closer to the glass pane narrowing her eyes. The men were familiar. Tobias and Jacob Hamilton, along with Owen Blake, who worked for them.
Her shoulders lowered in relief. Although she wanted to greet them, based on her conversation with Elias, she decided it was best to allow him to bring the men inside if it was warranted. She went to the stove, instead, and placed the coffee pot on the surface to make coffee.
Jacob Hamilton, Wilhelmina’s father-in-law came to the doorway. “Hello, Esther. I have a package for you from Wilhelmina. We came to invite you and Elias to supper tomorrow.”
The handsome man handed her a wrapped parcel. “How very nice of her. Thank you. What is it?”
While he explained not knowing, she was already unwrapping the bundled to find a knitted shawl. “Oh, how delightful,” Esther exclaimed, putting it over her shoulders. “It’s beautiful.”
“You can tell her yourself tomorrow.” Jacob smiled, his gaze moving to the coffee pot. “We’re headed to t
own after stopping at the McIntyre ranch not too far from here.”
The men accepted coffee before heading to town. Although Elias maintained a pleasant conversation with them, he didn’t direct any comments to her. And she couldn’t glean whether he planned to take her to the Hamiltons’ ranch the following day.
The unfinished conversation hung in the air between them as they bid the men farewell.
Elias was perfectly aware his wife had overheard the peddler’s comment about love. The old man had not realized she was within earshot of his ill-timed whisper. Why did she want to pay for her purchases? Other than her lack of ever spending any money other than for sundries and food, she acted as if her being there was temporary.
Unlike the homes of his married brother and friends, their home lacked any touches. For all outward appearances, little had been made in the way of any feminine touches. There were no frilly curtains in the kitchen window or any of the other windows, for that matter. For someone who spent her days sewing, she’d not done anything for the house. Instead, she focused all her efforts on the stockpile of clothing.
She’d made him a few things. Everything was well made and fit perfectly. There was no question she was an accomplished seamstress.
Upon returning home after being gone for several weeks, his enthusiasm at seeing Esther had dimmed when he’d entered the room to find how much the collection of dresses and such had grown.
If his wife planned to earn a living separate from him, then it was because she had decided to leave.
They lived too far from town for her to open a shop. And although he’d made it clear he didn’t approve, Esther had not hesitated to go forth with her plans.
It would come soon, her announcement of leaving him, of needing to separate to pursue her independence.
The Hamiltons’ invitation was ill-timed. The last thing Elias wanted, at the moment, was to visit their homes. He didn’t want to see the vast difference between their marriages and his.
“The air smells of snow. We need to bring the horses in.” Filbert interrupted his thoughts. “Reckon the cows will be smart enough to huddle under the shelter on their own.”
A chilly wind blew, sending his overlong hair across his face. “Let’s do it now. It’ll be dark soon. Get Wyatt to get hay in the stables and under the shelter for the younger critters.”
The men worked for hours ensuring the animals would be protected. Just as the last of the horses was ushered into the stable, snow began to fall.
“Got some stew on the stove, sure am hungry,” Filbert said dipping a cloth into a barrel they collected rainwater in. The man ran the wet rag over his face and neck. “Gonna make some cornbread and it’s gonna be a grand meal.”
“I’m not sure what Esther’s cooking, but you’re making my stomach grumble,” Elias replied with a grin. He’d come to like the older man, who took life as it came. He never seemed to worry about tomorrow or what his future held. Perhaps it was something that came with almost dying, as the man had been shot and brought, almost dead, to Evan’s clinic. He’d recovered fully and, although never disclosing what happened to him, seemed not to have any kind of resentments.
Too tired to worry about washing up before heading to the house, Elias trudged toward home. Lights shined in the front windows. When he opened the door, the aroma of spices and meat made his mouth water.
Esther moved back and forth placing cups and eating utensils on the table. She moved with a grace of a highborn. Yet, more often than not, he’d seen more vulnerability in her than the assurance he’d come to expect from women of high society.
When her gaze met his, her lips curved into a soft but wavering smile. There was more questioning in her eyes than warmth. “There’s warm water in the basin there for you to wash up.”
“I need to get out of these clothes and wash up. I’m not fit for sitting down to dinner.”
She shook her head. “You look dead on your feet. Sit down and eat. While you do, I’ll finish preparing a bath for you. I’ve already got some water in the tub.”
They’d set up a partition just inside a door on the side of the house. Esther had insisted on keeping a tub there to use for regular bathing. Of all the things in the house, he now liked the bathing area the most. On a regular basis, she’d have a hot bath waiting for him and it was a luxury that Elias had come to enjoy.
Once the plate of chicken and potatoes was place in front of him, he dug in to the meal, too hungry to argue.
By the time he finished eating and bathing, Elias could barely keep his eyes open. When Esther pressed a light kiss to his jaw, he blinked into the now diminishing fire. “Go on to bed. I’ll be there shortly.”
He’d fallen asleep on the chair in the front room. The fire in the hearth lulling him to it.
* * *
The dogs barking woke him the following morning and Elias stretched in the bed, not quite ready to get up. There was much to do, as always, but this day he wanted to take his time and linger in bed.
Esther was already up and, obviously, had let the dogs outside. Through the window, he could see it was a bright morning. The snow had stopped falling.
Several minutes later, Elias walked to the front of the house. Outside, he caught sight of Esther. She laughed at the dogs’ antics, more carefree than he’d ever seen her.
The dogs ran in circles, tongues lolling out the sides of their mouths as Esther pretended to chase them. She’d take a step forward and wave her hands, much to the dogs’ delights as they evaded her reaches, barking and circling. Returning over and over, enjoying the game, both his wife and the dogs continued their play.
The smell of burning made Elias rush to the kitchen. Atop the stove, forgotten ham smoked and he had to shake his head as he grabbed a potholder and moved it away from the heated surface. Cooking was definitely never going to be something Esther would enjoy.
Cool air rushed in with his red-faced wife. Dogs on her heels, she rushed to the kitchen, stopping short at seeing him standing by the smoking pan, drinking coffee.
“Oh no. I burned it.” She looked to him and swallowed. “I’ll make more.”
“I’ve cut some already. Just waiting to drink a bit more coffee. I was going to cook.”
Esther looked side to side. “Of course not. I wanted to surprise you with breakfast in bed, but lost track of time with the dogs. I meant to step outside for only a minute.” When she blinked rapidly, Elias noticed her shiny eyes.
“Did you really?” He smiled and touched his finger to the tip of her nose. “I can go back to bed and wait if you want me to.”
Biting her bottom lip, she seemed to ponder his words. “The surprise is already ruined. But I insist on cooking.”
“I insist on helping.”
Beside each other, they made a simple breakfast of ham and eggs. Esther warmed up leftover biscuits from the day before. Finally, they settled down to eat. The lightness in the air was gone when he spotted fabric over the arm of a chair by the window.
He had to ask her. Had to know her plans. Yet a part of him refused to know the truth. The part that had decided he loved Esther. For the first time in his life, Elias was in love.
Damn his luck.
When he left the house, the horses had already been let out into the corrals. Tails swishing side to side, the animals looked to be content with the sun on their backs despite the layer of snow on the ground. It was still quite cold. Elias hoped the day would warm up considerably to keep from having to stable the horses again.
“Good morning, Mr. Jones,” Wyatt leaned on the fencing, hands burrowed into his pockets. Since arriving, the boy had never given him cause to regret the decision to allow him to stay.
“Wyatt. You’re up and at it early today.”
The boy nodded with vigor. “Yes, sir. Got to earn my keep.” He looked past Elias to the house. “I owe you and your wife my life. I was sure I was going to die when I dragged myself onto your porch.”
Recalling he’d almost kicked
the boy out, Elias felt a twinge of guilt. “You have more than earned your right to stay here, Wyatt. Do you not have family somewhere?”
Once again, the boy’s head bobbed. “My pa and ma live far from here, in southern Wyoming. Pa works in town as a blacksmith. He and Ma have a small house. Don’t much care to go back,” he quickly added.
“I understand wanting to make a life for yourself. Have you written to let them know where you are?”
Scowling, Wyatt slid his gaze to the side. “No, sir. I don’t believe they much care.”
It wasn’t his business to delve further into the young man’s affairs, so Elias let it go. “I’m glad you’re here, Wyatt. Filbert sure can use your help. Come spring, I’ll hire a couple more men to help with branding and such. I’ve got a feeling the herd will be growing, maybe even doubling.”
Wyatt grinned. “I’ll do what I can.”
Inside the stable, Filbert’s gravelly voice got his attention. “Well, look who’s decided not to be lame anymore,” the old man said, chuckling. He looked up when hearing Elias’ footsteps. “The mare’s pawin’ at the ground asking to get out of the stall. Looks like her leg’s mended up pretty good.”
Indeed, the mare was bright-eyed, turning its head side to side and nudging at the stall gate. “All right, lady. Let’s see how you do.” Filbert opened the door and guided the horse out.
Elias followed them out, observing the mare’s gait. She walked perfectly, not seeming at all bothered by the injured leg.
“Animals don’t worry about things you know,” Filbert said. “They trust in nature to take its course. Sometimes I envy that. Too many times we get all tangled up in the what could be.”
He caught up to the man as they released the mare into the corral. “I don’t get the feeling you worry overly about things.”
“We all do,” Filbert said, looking straight ahead.
“What do you think of Esther?” Elias wasn’t sure why he asked and immediately regretted it. “I mean, you think she likes it here?”
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