by Indiana Wake
“I’m here,” he said and she turned to see him sat astride a big red horse.
“Is that really necessary,” Foster Treherne said.
Susan watched the tension between them and saw Lawton pat the rifle fastened to his saddle.
“Better safe than sorry,” he said and then he reined the horse around and set off in front of the wagon.
Susan watched his broad back, but her eyes were drawn to that rifle. What danger had Lawton referred to? And why did they need a rifle to go to church?
***
Lawton rode out ahead, but all he could think about was Susan. No woman had ever talked to him like she did and he was not sure that he like it. He knew he should keep his eyes peeled. There had been rustlers on their land recently. Over thirty head of cattle had been taken and two of the ranch hands had been shot at. So far he had kept the rustlers at bay but for some reason he was nervous about the women traveling towards town. It had to be because of Ellie, it would hurt his brother badly if she were harmed.
It was early and the sun was still low in the sky, He cantered ahead, scouting for danger and then circled around checking on their rear. All seemed quiet and soon they made their way to the small church.
As the wagons pulled up, Lawton circled wide behind them doing one more pass but no one was there. Maybe he was just being paranoid.
When he tied up his horse, the ladies were already being introduced. It looked like the whole congregation were saying hello and talking to them.
“I hear you are to marry Jarrett Treherne,” Jones, a dark and mean cowboy from a ranch the other side of town said to Ellie.
“Yes I am,” she said a beaming smile on her face. “We have come to talk to the pastor.”
“And who is this fine young lady?” he asked turning to Susan.
Lawton felt anger at Jones. The man was a rogue and the last thing Susan needed was him. He walked over and pushed himself between Jones and Susan. “This is Miss Susan and she is taken.” Gently he took Susan’s arm and led her to one side. “You have to be careful round here,” he said. “Folks like Jones have not seen a single female in quite a number of years.”
As he watched her Susan pulled herself free from him and shook her arm. “I am quite capable of looking after myself thank you. Besides if I stay here I will be looking for a husband, so perhaps you could give me some space?”
“Yeah that I can,” he said. “Just be careful and get to know the locals before you jump in. If you don’t trust me talk to Jarrett or Pa about it.”
***
Susan pulled herself away from Lawton and walked over to find Ellie. She was gushing. The wedding had been arranged for two weeks time and soon they were all sat waiting for the pastor.
The service was long and inspiring, but Susan found her mind drifting. What was wrong with Lawton? Why had he brought a rifle and was Ellie in any danger? She decided she would ask Jarrett.
After the service, the two sisters talked to the locals. Soon they had material for a wedding dress, an offer of assistance with the catering and quite a few friends to visit. Ellie was so happy it looked as if her cheeks might split and Jarrett seemed to spend quite a bit of time pointing out his bride to the local men. But where was Lawton?
She scanned the crowd and found him sat alone, staring out across the plains. Maybe she should go talk to him? Just as she made up her mind, Ellie came over.
“Jarrett is so wonderful,” she said.
“Yes he is
Soon the morning passed and they were on their way back home. As Ellie and Jarrett chatted, Susan watched Lawton. Why did he keep himself apart?
Chapter 14
The next two weeks flew by. Susan and Ellie spent much of their time working on the wedding dress. Soon the day to put it on was upon them. Susan helped her into the gown and stood back. The sight before her was like a dream come true.
“It is so beautiful,” Ellie said as she spun and the white lace cascaded all around her. “You are such a good sister.”
“We both worked on it,” Susan said, “I can’t wait to see you married.”
“Just a few more hours,” Ellie said and she spun around again and beamed out a smile. “Is there any chance for you and Lawton?”
Susan felt her breath stick in her throat at the suggestion. The mean words Lawton said were still in her mind, even though he had been a much nicer person since she had spoken to him. The house had a much more relaxed feel and Foster Treherne had stopped shouting at his son. But most of the time Lawton was not there and Susan suspected he was avoiding her. She had decided that she would look for somewhere to live as soon as the wedding was over and Ellie was settled. Maybe she could work mending clothes?
“Well,” Ellie prompted.
“I don’t think so Ellie, besides today is your day and we should be thinking about just you.”
Ellie giggled with delight and spun around again. The white lace cascaded with her and made it look as if she floated around the room.
“Are we already?” Foster Treherne asked from the door.
Ellie let out her customary squeal and they were on their way.
***
The church had been decorated with wildflowers and the whole town had turned out to see the wedding. Susan noticed Lawton already there. He was wearing the black shirt with the piping and he looked amazing. She shook the thought from her head when he saw her staring. His look was one of disdain and he quickly turned away.
Then the pastor was calling them to order and Susan watched as Foster Treherne led her little sister up the aisle to her future husband. Jarrett turned and his eyes devoured his wife. It was obvious he was blown away.
The ceremony was quick and the two recited their vows.
“I now pronounce you husband and wife,” The Pastor said. “You may kiss the bride.”
There was a great cheer and Susan watched Ellie swept up into Jarrett’s arms. Despite her size, he lifted her from the ground and kissed her full on the lips. Susan found herself close to tears. Ellie was married to a wonderful man and she was deeply in love. It was perfect, it was her dream.
They all piled outside the little wooden church and watched Ellie and Jarrett ride off in a carriage. As she went, she tossed her bouquet into the air. Susan laughed and watched it tumble over and over. Shock went through her as it came toppling down and almost hit her in the face.
She clasped it to her nose and smelt the heady scent of roses before looking up straight into the eyes of Lawton. He curled his lips and shook his head before looking away. Susan would not feel sad, not today. Maybe she would never find a husband but that didn’t matter. Ellie was happy.
“Time to go,” Foster Treherne said and he helped her into a wagon.
“I am thinking about moving out,” Susan said.
“I would be sad to see you go,” Foster replied. “But if you must leave I will help you find somewhere.”
“That is too kind.” Susan sat back and let the gentle rhythm relax her. Soon they would be back at the ranch. It would be different now and she felt sad and lost for the first time in years. She shook away the thoughts, she would manage.
Up ahead she noticed Lawton had stopped and got down off his horse. He was looking at something on the ground. As they approached, he turned to his horse and pulled the rifle from the saddle. Susan felt fear course through her. “Wait,” she called.
He turned and there was sadness in his eyes and he shook his head.
Susan ignored him and stepped down from the carriage. She pushed in front of him and saw a dog lying in the grass. It had short sandy fur and a pained look on its face. It was panting and blood ran from its shoulder. “Help it,” she cried.
“I think the critter has been shot,” Lawton said. “I’m not sure there is much we can do but put it out its misery.”
Susan looked at him and then back at the dog. She could not leave it there and she pulled up the top layer of her dress and ripped off a chunk of the petticoat. Dropping to
her knees she put pressure on the wound. Tearing off another strip she bound the pad of cotton to the animals shoulder. “Help me.”
Lawton and Foster lifted the animal and placed it in the wagon. Susan tended it all the way back to the Ranch and the two men carried it into the house.
“I will fetch ole Doc,” Lawton said and he ran back to his horse.
“You have a Doctor,” Susan asked.
“No, he’s just an old ranch hand, but he stitches up the men and has a few remedies. If anyone can help her he can,” Foster said.
“It’s a girl?” Susan asked as she helped the dog drink. Slowly it lapped up the water and the eyes seemed to say thank you. As she laid the dogs head back down she knew she would be staying at the ranch for a while longer. At least until the dog was healed. She pressed her hand gently on the wound and whispered a prayer to speed Lawton on his way, and that the dog be saved. She may not have found her husband but for now the Lazy T was home and she was glad to be here.
The End.
Saved by the Rancher
The Big Beautiful Mail Order Brides of Montana
Book 2
Belle Fiffer & Indiana Wake
©Copyright 2015 Belle Fiffer & Indiana Wake
All Rights Reserved.
Chapter 1
The year is 1894.
Susan looked down at the dog and gently rubbed her head. It still made her heart thump when she thought of some bandit shooting an innocent animal so close to the ranch. Were they safe?
“How’s she doing?” Lawton asked as he stroked the soft fur of the injured dog.
“She’s still not well enough to stand on that leg,” Susan replied looking down quickly before she could be lost in the blue of his eyes. “But Doc says that soon she’ll be as good as new.” She scooted over to make room between herself and Lawton so he could sit with the dog as well.
“And how are you doing?”
Susan was surprised at his concern and did not know how to answer. In one way, she desperately wanted to ask if they were safe but it never seemed the right time. They still knew so little of their home. “I am fine,” she said but her mind wandered back. With her sister Ellie, she had answered an advertisement and moved to the West to meet the two brothers, Lawton, and Jarrett. They had traveled here as Mail Order Brides as the two brothers wished to get married and had put up an advertisement. Ellie and Jarrett soon fell in love and were married. They were very happy indeed, but Susan had not been so lucky. She and Lawton had irreconcilable differences. In an overheard conversation, she found out her weight and big body were a problem for the man while their manners offended Susan to such an extent that she had to teach them a lesson. With the help of their father that had been done and Jarrett had changed. Recently even Lawton had begun to make amends and was trying to be more agreeable.
On the way home from the wedding of her sister, they encountered a wounded dog and Susan had taken it upon herself to care for the poor thing. It had been shot in the shoulder but thanks to an old ranch hand, who they referred to as Doc; it had been brought back from the brink of death.
“Have you named her, yet?” Lawton asked. Sitting beside her he gently patted the sandy fur of the dog.
“I named her cupcake,” Susan answered.
“You only think of food, don’t you,” Lawton laughed lightly and there was amusement in his eyes.
How could he? Susan huffed at his comment. “Actually,” she said. “I named her that because her fur reminds me of the color a freshly baked cupcake and getting to know her I think she could be as sweet. Anyway, I have much to do so if you’d be kind enough to look after Cupcake for a bit, I must get on with it.” Without waiting for his reply, she stood and brushed down her skirt. As she turned to leave Lawton grabbed her hand.
“I am sorry. I did not mean to offend you. I was only amused by the name and didn’t mean anything by what I said.”
She looked down to see him staring up at her with pleading eyes, begging her to believe him. In spite of herself, she felt her resolve soften. “I am sorry as well for my reaction,” she said with a small smile. “It is quite alright, but I do have to go and help Mrs. Jenkins in the kitchen.”
“You don’t have to do that, you know,” Lawton said, stroking Cupcake. “You are a guest here and for a limited time, if what father says is true. You don’t have to work or do any of the household chores.”
Susan bit back a sharp retort as she remembered back to when they first arrived here. This very man had made it quite clear that as long as she lived here, she had to participate in the household chores, she smiled. How many things had changed since those early days? Both brothers were rude and selfish at first, but Ellie had completely changed Jarrett for the better and Lawton seemed to be losing his rude ways as well. Sending a silent prayer of thanks to the Lord, she said, “I know I don’t have to but I like to and Mrs. Jenkins is a fine woman. She is kind and anything I can do for in return is always a blessing.” Smiling at him, she exited the room.
Chapter 2
The next morning Susan sat down to breakfast with Lawton and his father, Foster Treherne.
“Good morning Miss Susan,” Foster said.
Good morning,” Susan replied she liked Foster. He had treated both her and her sister as equals and had allowed her to explain to the brothers that they were not to be tallied with. Lawton’s eyes seemed to rest on her but as she met his gaze, he moved them away. What was he playing at? Oh, how she missed her sister. The happy couple had gone off to the city, right after their marriage. Just for a week Ellie had said but Susan, who had always been rather close to her younger sister, could not help but feel her absence profoundly.
As Mr. Treherne, Lawton and Susan began to eat breakfast; Mr. Treherne looked at a letter folded on the table. “I received a letter from your Aunt Sandra this morning,” he said to Lawton. “She writes that she very much apologizes for not making it to the wedding and wants to visit by the end of the week to meet Ellie. I believe we’ve got to ask the happy couple to cut short their trip. Would you ask them to come back the day after tomorrow?”
“I shall go and escort them back, safely myself, father,” Lawton said, with a worried look in his eyes. Susan remembered that Jarrett had mentioned something about Lawton keeping them safe. From what, she had no idea, but she did want to find out. Unfortunately, she couldn’t ask Lawton, for he never gave a straight answer but she trusted Jarrett to tell her the truth and planned on asking about it once they were back.
“Very well, the city isn’t far so I believe you can manage it,” his father replied and went back to eating. Although, Susan did feel bad that the couple would have to cut their trip short, she also couldn’t help but be happy that her sister would be home soon.
That night, before she went to sleep, she kept thinking of Cupcake and the bullet in her shoulder. Were there bandits or outlaws close by? Kneeling by her bed she prayed that her sister, Jarrett, and Lawton would make it back home safely. Adding that whatever danger lay outside is kept at bay. She also prayed for Cupcake’s quick recovery. After she had prayed, she tucked Cupcake in a basket by her bed and finally fell into a contented sleep.
***
Two days later, Lawton saddled up his horse, grabbed his rifle and left to fetch his brother and new wife. The entire time that he was gone, Susan was restless and couldn’t concentrate on a single thing at home. She had no clue as to why she was so anxious but her mind kept wandering to Lawton and she couldn’t help but send a silent prayer for his safety.
That evening, as Mr. Treherne and she, sat down for dinner, they heard a carriage approaching. Abandoning their food, both of them rushed to the door to receive their family. Lawton could be seen riding on his horse, rounding the carriage every few seconds. Lawton had an easy manner on horseback but tonight he was alert, looking every which way as if preparing for an attack. Once the carriage had stopped inside the gate, only then did he relax.
The carriage door opened and Ellie ca
me rushing out, grabbing her sister in a tight hug. She giggled and sighed and said, “Oh, how I’ve missed you, my dear sweet sister. Let’s never be apart again.”
“I agree, sister. Even though it has hardly been a week since you were away, it felt like a lifetime without you,” Susan replied, hugging her sister back as tightly as she could.
Ellie let go of her sister and rushed to hug Mr. Treherne. Chortling with good humor and surprise, he hugged her back and said, “Good to have you back, child. I am sorry you couldn’t stay longer. You will have to go again soon.”
“It is quite alright, Mr. Treherne,” Ellie said, letting go of the man and blushing at her own emotions and actions.
“Call me father, child for the Lord knows, I consider you to be mine,” Mr. Treherne said, good-naturedly.
With a smile as big as could be, she hugged him again and said, “Thank you, father.”
Jarrett came forward and greeted Susan and his father. Susan couldn’t help but turn to look at Lawton. He looked worn out and his eyes kept darting to the darkness. He turned and saw Susan looking at him. He gave her a tired smile, a nod and went off to put the horses in the stable.
Jarrett turned to Susan as she worriedly watched Lawton leave. Grinning at her, he said, “Miss Susan, I am absolutely starved. I hope you have made a delicious meal for me to devour.”
“I have, Mister Jarrett and it is getting colder the longer we stand out here. Let us go and eat shall we.” And off they went to continue their dinner. Susan couldn’t help but glance back at the stables, hoping that Lawton would come in soon.
Chapter 3
The next morning, Susan took control of preparing the guest room for Aunt Sandra. She would be arriving the next day and Susan wanted to make sure that the woman did not want for anything.