The little arms clamped around her neck. “Come with us, Lily.” Tears rolled down the child’s face.
“I’m sorry, darling, I can’t.” She tried to extricate herself.
Matt stepped in and picked Annie up. “Come on, darlin’, we have to go.”
“No. No. I want Lily. Make her come with us.”
Matt walked off holding a screaming Annie in one arm and carrying the bags in the other. The platform had quickly emptied and Lily soon found herself alone except for a porter.
“I want Lily, I want Lily.” The frantic cries echoing in her ears nearly broke her heart because she had to ignore them. She picked up her bag and trudged off without glancing back.
She couldn’t speak to the porter about recommending somewhere cheap to stay, she had to get away from the station. She could always go to the Marshall’s office, the bank manager maybe. Stop dithering like an old woman. I can do this, I have to.
Something grabbed the back of her skirt, spinning her around. She was shocked to glance down and see it was Annie. “What are you doing here?”
“I want to go with you. I want to go with you,” she cried out in anguish. “Don’t leave me. I love you, Lily.”
It was too much for Lily. She picked Annie up and the child sobbed against her breast. Where was Matt, he would be frantic. She stepped to one side leaning her back against the ticket office so as not to hinder passersby.
“Annie! Annie!”
“Over here, Matt.”
A man kicked her carpet bag and it slammed against her ankle.
Matt dashed up. His face was ashen and his eyes burned. “What in tarnation did you run off for?”
“I want Lily.” Annie sobbed.
“You could have got lost or killed, darlin’.”
“Oh, Annie darling, don’t cry so.”
“I’m sorry, Lily. I dropped one of our bags, and when I bent over to pick it up, she all but leapt out of my arms and took off like a jack rabbit.”
“Don’t leave me, Lily. Don’t leave me. I don’t want you Uncle Matt. I want Lily.”
“Listen, darlin’, Lily has to do what’s best for her, not us.”
Annie sobbed so hard her whole body shook.
Lily had fought her heart all the way to Houston, now she was there, and with Annie so upset, she had to reconsider. “All right,” she said, her heavy heart now lightened. “I’ll come with you. If Matt still wants me to.”
She looked up to see his smiling face, despite the overwhelming tiredness.
“We’ll have to get married. I can’t have a young, unmarried woman living on my ranch. It goes against every principle I’ve ever believed in.”
“I’ll marry you, Matt, but only if it’s temporary.”
“What!”
She kept her voice low. “If the marriage isn’t consummated, after six months we can get an annulment and I’ll walk away. Annie will be used to you by then.”
The color bleached from his face, emphasizing the black stubble on his jaw and chin.
“I can’t be a proper wife to you.”
“Why not? I’m attracted to you, and I think you are to me as well.”
“I do like you, Matt, more than like I think, but it has to be this way. You’ll thank me for this one day.”
“You’re talking in riddles, woman!”
Lily couldn’t believe they were standing outside Houston railway station with people rushing by and holding a conversation like this. It had to be done, although it broke her heart. Better for her to suffer heartache than for a righteous man like him, the son of a preacher, to be destroyed when he discovered his wife wasn’t a virgin.
Realization suddenly hit him. She could see it in his face.
“You’ve willingly given yourself to a man?” A pulse convulsed in his jaw.
“No.” She shot the word out. Sick dread rested like a rock in her stomach. He was so close to the truth she felt ice cold even though it was hot. “I have never willingly given myself to a man.” Major Maximus took by force what should have belonged to my husband.
“I don’t understand.”
“Please, Matt. Do we have a deal or not?”
He gnawed his bottom lip. “Yes, but I really don’t understand.”
“Thank you.”
“We’ll have to find somewhere to stay tonight and leave early in the morning. A preacher friend of mine lives in La Grange, he can marry us tomorrow, no questions asked.
****
The hotel where they spent the night was comfortable. Matt had obtained a room for himself and one for Lily and Annie to share.
After breakfast the next morning, Matt said. “I’ll pick up my horse and wagon from the Livery and meet you at the General Store, it’s just off the main street. See, the place with the green tin roof.”
“Yes, I see it.
It sells everything. You’ll need to buy clothes and stuff for Annie, it will save us going into Guilford Crossing when we get to the ranch. Buy whatever you need for yourself, too.”
The middle-aged man at Mason’s General Store and Dried Goods, greeted Lily and Annie cheerfully. “What can I do for you two beautiful gals?”
Lily laughed. Seeing Annie’s happy face over breakfast she knew she had done the right thing. Once the child came to love Matt, and she would, because he was such a good man, she could leave his ranch knowing Annie would be happy.
“Well, we do need a few clothes for Annie. Her uncle will be meeting us here because he wants to buy supplies as well.”
Sensing good business, the man looked at them with a gleeful expression on his face. “I’ll leave you to browse around, Ma’am, just let me know when you’re finished.”
The shop was quite well stocked she discovered as they wandered around inspecting the merchandise. Two sets of undergarments for Annie and a dress should be enough. She didn’t want to be too extravagant with Matt’s money. He obviously wasn’t poor, neither was he rich she decided.
“Ooh I like this dress, Lily.”
“It is pretty, not very serviceable, though. How about we buy lots of material and I can make you some dresses.”
“With lace.”
“Of course, we’ll get ribbon as well. I used to do sewing for rich ladies in New Orleans. I could even teach you how to do it.”
“Well, ladies.” A grinning Matt marched up to them.
He was all cowboy now, wearing a black Stetson and his guns. What a ruggedly handsome man he was.
“Buying the store out?”
“Well....” Lily laughed. “I hope we haven’t been too extravagant.”
“We got lots of things, Uncle Matt, and Lily’s going to make me dresses and teach me how to sew and....”
“Hey, steady on, you’ll run out of breath if you keep talking so fast.”
“I hope we didn’t buy too much, Annie was so excited and happy I didn’t want to dampen her enthusiasm.”
“Let her have what she wants. The last couple of years wouldn’t have been happy ones for her. Hey, what’s this?” Matt picked up a children’s picture book. “And this?” He held a doll up by one leg. “Presents for me?”
“Uncle Matt you are silly, men don’t have dolls or story books, they’re for me. Lily said I could have them.”
“Of course you can, darlin’, I was having a joke with you. We should get you some candy as well.”
“Ooh, yes please.”
“What did Lily buy for herself?”
“Nothing, except some material.”
“Buy whatever you need, Lily.”
“Thanks, Matt, I’ve got everything I need.”
“One small carpet bag? What about this?” He picked up a pretty, pale green bonnet. “It would match your eyes.”
“I don’t need a new bonnet.” She did, the one she always wore was an old cast-off from Julia.
“We’ll have it,” he told the storekeeper. “Now I need supplies, flour, sugar, salt, molasses, coffee and tea. Oh, beans too.”
Her eyes nearly popped out of her head with the variety and quantities he was buying. One of the last items he purchased was pipe tobacco.”
He must have followed her eyes. “Not for me, the old timers at the ranch. This should keep us going on the trail and for a while once we get home. Prices are much cheaper here than in Guilford Crossing.”
“You’re looking happy. Do you like spending money?” she asked with a smile. Buying a gift for the old men who worked for him was very endearing.
He shrugged. “Well, I did buy some special carpentry tools I wanted from an English tool maker. His work is the best I’ve ever seen.”
“Why do you need special carpentry tools?”
“I do carpentry work on and off.”
“Will that be all, Sir?” The storekeeper positively beamed when Matt produced a handful of notes and handed them over.
A boy of about twelve helped Matt carry their purchases out to a small covered wagon drawn by two sturdy looking horses. Lily had no idea what breed they were. She wasn’t sure she would enjoy riding in this. A raised wooden seat stretching across the front was covered by a mat or thick cloth to provide some cushioning thank goodness.
Matt thanked the boy for helping him load up and flipped him a coin. “Well ladies, your coach awaits you.”
She watched him lift Annie up into the middle before turning to help her up. “She can ride up here with us and when she gets tired, have a rest in the back.”
The seat was much higher up than what Lily had first thought, as she dubiously glanced around.
“I wish we could have been married before we left Houston. Five nights on the trail with me and only Annie, you will be well and truly compromised, if it should ever get out.” He shuddered.
“Stop worrying, who’s going to know? I’d prefer your friend marry us rather than a stranger, besides, we might have had to wait a couple of days or more to get it done here. I trust you not to ravish me.”
He turned white. Not a vestige of color remained in his face and his eyes darkened. “That won’t happen, I swear it.”
“It was a joke.”
He glared at her. “I don’t like that kind of joke, it’s unseemly.”
“I know you’re a very moral kind of man, and I trust you to keep your word.”
He released the brake on the wagon and they moved off without another word between them.
Chapter Nine
After a difficult five nights on the trail they made it to the outskirts of La Grange, where a small white wooden church stood on a slight rise, with tree covered hills forming a pretty backdrop.
“Not far now,” Matt said.
They continued on without speaking until they finally saw a white washed log cabin with a shingle roof. A neatly fenced paddock contained horses, a large, barnlike building, and what appeared to be stables.
As they drove up the slightly rutted drive, Lily glanced around with interest. The place was picture perfect.
“Steve’s back paddocks run down to the Colorado River, a great spot for fishing,” Matt said.
She was awestruck. “It’s beautiful.”
A large canvas covered wagon stood in a side paddock near the building she presumed to be the stables. Guilford Freight was displayed in faded lettering.
“Any connection to where you live?” Lily asked, pointing her finger.
He grinned. “Yeah, Guilford Crossing was named after the Guilfords. They were pioneers of the area, owned thousands of acres until it was broken up into smaller holdings after the war.”
“They must be wealthy.”
“Not really,” he told her. “The money was spread around quite a few family members, although they would be comfortable I reckon, yet to hear old Sam Guilford carrying on, he doesn’t have two dimes to rub together.”
A full-length porch stretched across the homestead, and resting in the shade was a black dog. He eyed them with disinterest as they stopped under the shade of a large tree in the front yard.
It was the slim woman clad in a brown dress covered by a white pinafore who really caught Lily’s attention. She literally skipped down the steps, before rushing over to them.
“Matt, what are you doing here?”
“I came to visit my favorite lady.” Laughter lurked in his voice. “Ruth, meet Annie, Rachel’s daughter, and Lily, who is to become my wife if Steve would do us the honor.”
Ruth’s shocked expression was almost comical. “I don’t know what to say, except congratulations.”
“I’m pleased to meet you, Ruth.” Lily jumped down from the wagon and held out her hand.
Ruth brushed her hand aside and hugged her instead. “My dear, I’m so pleased to meet you. I’ve been praying for years that Matt would find himself a beautiful, virtuous woman, and you fit the bill perfectly.” Her blue eyes shone with sincerity.
“Thank you, you’re too kind.” Lily didn’t know what to say. Feeling like a hypocrite she accepted the words with a forced smile, wishing the ground would open up and swallow her.
“And who do we have here?” Ruth’s quick, breathy voice was somehow appealing.
Matt lifted Annie down from the wagon and she clung to his leg.
“Come here, sweetheart, I’m Ruth and I knew your Ma.”
Lily took Annie’s hand and led her over to the older woman. Annie received the same spontaneous hug Lily had. Ruth had a few flecks of grey in her dark hair, although her face showed no wrinkles.
“Where’s Steve?” Matt asked.
“Out the back somewhere, probably helping Freddie unload boxes of hymn books. He put in an order months ago, and it’s taken all this time for them to arrive. Come inside out of the sun. Coffee’s on.”
“Isn’t it always?” Matt grinned. “I think I can smell fresh bread, too.”
“There’s never been anything wrong with your sense of smell Mathias Brayshaw,” Ruth teased.
The homestead was cool and welcoming, Lily felt it immediately. There was a slight smell of beeswax honey and lavender.
“Come to the kitchen and I’ll let the others know you’re here. Will you be staying over? You’re always welcome.”
“Thanks, I know, but I’m anxious to get home. We’ll stay for a couple of hours so the horses can rest. I’d like to make it to the ranch before it gets too dark.”
“Ah, I understand. You must be anxious to wed and bed your bride,” she said with a saucy grin.
Lily felt heat surge to her cheeks and she glanced at Matt who seemed as embarrassed as her.
“You were always blunt, Ruth.”
“What does she mean, Lily?” Annie piped up.
“Grown up talk,” Matt said. “You’re right Ruth, I am.”
Lily knew he was lying. He had shown no interest whatsoever in her on the trail. She had slept in the wagon with Annie, while he stretched out in his bedroll under the wagon. How foolish was she? Having told him in no uncertain terms about no physical contact, how could she feel slighted because he had shown no inclination to touch her? Five nights on the trail and he had treated her with casual indifference.
The kitchen was quite large with a scrubbed pine table, matching chairs and dresser. White lace curtains fluttered at the open window.
“Please sit down, my dear, or would you like to wash up first?
“I definitely need to wash up, and I’m sure Annie needs a good wash too. We’ve been on the trail for five whole days.”
“Everything you need is out on the back porch, help yourself.”
Annie dashed out in front of her as they left the kitchen by a door leading on to the porch. As she washed their faces and hands Lily glanced around. The back part of the place was as pretty as the front, with neat garden beds and a large vegetable patch.
On returning to the kitchen, Matt was lounging against the fireplace, his arm resting on the mantel as he watched Ruth cut the aromatic bread into thick slices.
“Feeling a little more refreshed?” he asked.
“Yes,
thank you.”
“I saw chickens, Uncle Matt, and an orange pussycat.”
“I don’t have any house cats at home, I do have a few chickens, though.”
“Ah, who do we have here? Howdy Matt.” A slim, wiry looking man with sparse ginger hair and the kindest eyes Lily had ever seen, strode in.
“Howdy, Steve, meet Lily. We want to get married if you’ll oblige us. And the little lady is Annie, Rachel’s daughter.”
“Goodness, Matt, you certainly know how to shock a man. I thought after....I sure would be honored to marry you. You’re in luck, Freddie and one of the boys is here to act as witnesses. They’re preparing to leave, so as soon as we eat this here bread my darling wife is cutting up, we’ll get the marrying started.”
They were all seated and tucking into the warm bread when a youth entered. He wore buckskin pants and a coat with a fringe on it. A battered brown hat was still on his head.
“Howdy, everyone.”
Lily stifled a gasp of shock, the youth had a high pitched voice. He was a girl, the moment she swept off her hat it was obvious. A few loosened strands of blonde hair straggled on to her face.
“Pleased to meet you, Freddie.” Lily put out her hand and was surprised at Freddie’s strong grip.
“Her name is Winifred Guilford,” Matt said, “ornery female will only answer to Fred or Freddie.”
“You can blame Pa for that.” Freddie hooked a chair over to the table with her foot and sat down. “He doesn’t believe in female frippery.”
“I keep telling your father he’s doing wrong by you girls,” Steve said. “Not that the stubborn old goat ever listens.”
“It’s probably easier for Sam to treat the girls as if they were boys.” Ruth placed a platter of butter on the table. “Go on, tuck in everyone.”
“You can’t argue with Pa.” Freddie picked up a piece of bread and buttered it. She had small, dainty hands, but Lily was shocked at how work roughened they were.
“It’s wrong you doing the work of men because he’s too mean to employ men to do it.” Steve said. “Where’s Billy?”
“Out with the horses, you know he won’t come inside. Howdy.” Freddie smiled at the little girl.
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