Max trotted back with the stick in his mouth, looking happy. She took it from him, tossed it away again, and wiped the dog slobber on her skirt. Peering over her shoulder, she saw that Luke was still talking to Polly and Dolly Dykstra.
Max grabbed the stick and hurried back to her. He dropped it at her feet then stared up at her, looking as if he were grinning. He waited, wagging his tail, ears alert. She backed up a few feet so she could get a better look at the window and tossed the stick. A person stepped up close to Miss Blackstone and then quickly jumped back into the shadows. There was someone in her room, and that person wore a man’s plaid shirt. That left only one possible solution—there really was a man in that room.
And currently, they didn’t have any male boarders.
The front door opened, and her ma stepped out. “Time to come in, Jacqueline.”
This time, Jack didn’t argue. She had to find out what was going on. Max walked back, head drooping. The stick fell from his mouth, and his tail wagged. She bent down to scratch his ears. “Gotta go, boy. There’s something strange goin’ on at home.”
The dog whined as Jack jogged toward her mother. How could she get upstairs without making her ma suspicious?
“Go wash up and get ready for bed, sweetie.” Her mother stood in the doorway, looking down the street.
Jack gazed back over her shoulder. Was her ma looking at Luke? As much as she hoped so, she had a problem that needed investigating. “Don’t you need me to take some fresh water upstairs to the boarders?”
Her ma’s brows lifted. “Uh ... thank you, but no. I did that before I fixed supper.”
Jack searched her mind for another excuse. “Well, maybe they need some clean towels.”
“What’s going on?” Her mother glanced up the stairs.
Jack leaned forward to close the space between them. Maybe confessing was the best alternative. “I saw a man in Miss Blackstone’s room, Ma.”
“What? When?” She placed her hand over her heart like she often did when she was worried.
“Just now when I was playing fetch with Max. I saw him twice through the window. Honest, Ma.”
Different expressions flitted across her mother’s face until she settled on one—and Jack knew then that she didn’t believe her.
“Just get inside and get ready for bed. I’m too tired to deal with your nonsense tonight.”
“But—”
Rachel held up her hand. “No ‘buts.’ It’s time for bed.”
“You never believe me.” Jack scowled and stomped past her mother. “Why would I lie about something like that? Even I know your number one rule for unmarried women—never have a man upstairs.”
In the bedroom, she slammed the door. She’d told her ma about the stolen shirt, too, but she hadn’t believed her enough to even look to see if it was missing.
Jack tore off her clothes and yanked on her nightgown, not even taking time to wash. Tomorrow she’d tell Luke about the man. She might just be a little kid, but she knew what she’d seen.
***
A leaf floated on the river’s current as the water rippled along on its way to join the waters of the Red River. Luke stood by the river’s edge, feeling as if all his troubles and worries had drifted away. The pastor had been right. Once he’d made the mental decision to forgive Rachel, his spirit had risen like a caged bird set free. He felt like a prisoner whose shackles had been removed for the last time. Free to move on. Free to admit he still loved Rachel.
But had he driven her away with his hard-nosed refusal to forgive for so many years? He ducked his head and kicked a rock. Rachel was so tenderhearted that his attitude must have broken her heart—just like she’d broken his.
No! He held up his hand as if shoving the enemy back. “I will not take up that offense again. I’ve forgiven her, once and for all.”
He breathed in a cleansing breath through his nose. He needed to tell her—needed to ask her to forgive him for being so obstinate. And she would—in a heartbeat, because that’s the kind of woman she was. Unable to hold an offense against anyone. A loving nurturer. No wonder she found it hard to discipline her daughter.
Luke mounted Alamo, knowing he’d spent enough time away from town. Not that much ever happened there. As he headed toward town, he watched the remains of the sunset. Bright pink, the same color as Rachel’s Sunday dress, painted the belly of every cloud in the sky. Like a ripe peach, orange mixed with the pink to create an amazing sight that only the Creator of this world could have designed.
He thought about the final leg of the bride contest. The mayor had let him know that he was to take each bride out to eat and get to know her better—all except that anonymous bride, of course. That had been a decent idea until he’d forgiven Rachel, and then like a dam breaking, his heart was flooded with love for her again. Had he ever truly quit loving her?
God was giving them a second chance—and he was sure going to take advantage of it.
Max lay under the bench in front of his office, exhausted from chasing all the sticks Jack had thrown him earlier in the evening. The lights were off in the freight office, so Luke turned his horse between the livery and Polly’s Café to Oak Street.
“Marshal, wait!” Jenny Evans jogged toward him, holding her skirt up to avoid tripping. “Might I have a word with you?”
Luke sighed and dismounted. What did she want now?
She opened her pad of paper and turned so the fading twilight illuminated it. “The mayor mentioned that you’re going to be taking the boardinghouse brides out to supper separately so you can get to know each one better. Can you tell me where and when? Which bride will you invite first?”
Luke worked to keep a cap on his irritation. “No, I can’t tell you. But I will say that I’ll make the announcement of my choice of bride tomorrow night.”
“Tomorrow?” Jenny’s eyes widened. “Why, you can’t do it tomorrow. That’s Wednesday. I’ve got to have time to get the announcement out in the paper so folks around here will know about it. Everyone will want to come to town for that. It’s the best fun anyone’s had since those kids hauled Simon Jones’s plow horse up into his hay loft.”
Luke tried hard to remember the time of prayer he’d just finished. Breathe. Don’t let her get to you. “Tomorrow night. Whoever is here is here. And that’s final.”
She worked her mouth as if trying to get something unstuck from her teeth. “The mayor might have something to say about this.” She spun around and marched off.
Luke sighed. He probably should expect a visit from Mayor Burke before long.
He stopped in front of his cousins’ house and noted only a faint light glimmered in the parlor. Maybe he should wait until morning, but he ached to share his news with someone. He dismounted, tethered Alamo to the porch, and knocked on the door.
Mark opened it and grinned. Shirtless, he scratched his belly and then waved Luke inside. “Didn’t expect to see you at this hour.”
“Is it too late?”
“Nah, come on in.” Mark combed his curly hair with his fingers. “I’d offer you some coffee, but we’ve already dumped the dregs.”
“I don’t need anything. Just wanted to tell y’all something.” Luke stepped inside and studied his cousins’ home. Since he normally met with them in their office, he’d only been here a few times. Books stood in stacks on the floor beside the small settee and the table in front of it. Dust balls littered the floor like tumbleweeds, and piles of papers were everywhere. “Is this where you file your paperwork?”
Mark chuckled. “It’s an organized mess. Trust me.”
Luke shook his head. “You need a housekeeper—or maybe a wife.”
Garrett walked into the room barefoot and dressed in his nightshirt. He yawned and scratched his chest. “What are you doin’ here?”
Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea. “I’ll just wait till morning. I can see you’re both ready for bed—unless you’re accustomed to wearing dresses at home.”
Garrett perked up, obviously not taking offense at Luke’s joke and not wanting to wait for news. “No, you’re here now, so spill the beans. What’s going on?”
Mark turned up the lantern and motioned for Luke to sit down in the only empty chair. Luke obliged. Mark shoved aside a stack of papers, and he and Garrett perched on the edge of the settee.
Luke grinned, and both brothers lifted their brows. “I’ve finally forgiven Rachel.”
Garrett smiled and slugged Mark in the shoulder.
Mark scowled and rubbed his arm. “That’s great news. How’d she take it?”
Luke shook his head. “Haven’t told her yet. It just happened—down by the river.”
“I guess you had that talk with the pastor?”
“Yeah. Thanks for suggesting that.”
“So, what are you gonna do now?” Mark asked.
“He’s gonna stop the bride contest and marry Rachel, that’s what.” Garrett grinned and leaned back, arms crossed over his chest as if he were responsible.
Luke stared at his cousin. Was he that transparent?
“Oh, come on, we both know you’re still in love with Rachel. That’s the only explanation for you still being upset at her after all these years,” Garrett said.
Luke stared at the floor, trying to make sense of his thoughts. A mouse ran out from under his chair, sniffed the air, and dashed back to his hiding spot. “If you knew I was still in love with Rachel, why did you order all those brides?”
Mark sat forward, elbows on his knees. “We didn’t know then, and if we had, it would have saved us a lot of trouble.”
“Yeah, but on the other hand, maybe it took some competition for your affections to make you realize where your heart belongs.” Garrett looked so proud that he nearly beamed.
Luke leaned back, not wanting to admit there might be some truth in Garrett’s comment. “I’ve forgiven Rachel, and I sincerely hope she still cares for me and will be willing to forgive my stubbornness.”
“Let’s hope it doesn’t take another eleven years.” Garrett chuckled. “We’re all getting a bit long in the tooth.”
Mark elbowed his brother. “Speak for yourself.”
Luke smiled at his cousins’ horseplay. “Do you think I still have a chance with her? Am I needlessly getting my hopes up?”
“Rachel has only had eyes for you. It was true back then and true today.”
Luke ground his back teeth together as a fraction of the old hurt shoved its way to the surface like a boil. “Then why did she marry James?”
His cousins glanced at each other.
Luke stood and paced the small room. “What are you not telling me?”
Garrett ran his hands through his hair. “What did she tell you back then?”
Luke threw up his hands. “Nothing. Just that she couldn’t marry me because she had already married him. I figured she wanted an easier life than I could have given her.”
“You figured wrong,” Garrett said. Both cousins stood, still casting odd glances at each other and back at Luke.
A knot twisted in Luke’s gut. Had there been more to her decision than he thought?
“What are you not telling me?” He rubbed his nape, his peace fleeing.
Garrett ran his hand over his jaw. “It’s not our story to tell. You need to ask Rachel about it.”
Luke stopped in front of his cousins. “I tried that once, but it didn’t work.”
“Try again.” Garrett crossed his arms.
All manner of thoughts assaulted Luke, none of them good. His cousins were right; he’d put off this discussion long enough. He said his good-byes and strode to Rachel’s house. From the front, all was dark. He rounded the side of the house and was glad to see the kitchen light still on.
Because of the lateness of the hour, he knocked on the back door and waited instead of entering like he normally did. Rachel opened the door a smidgeon and peeked out. She looked tired, and he almost changed his mind. “I need to talk with you for a minute.”
She hesitated a moment then nodded and opened the door. “I need to close the bedroom door so our talking doesn’t disturb Jacqueline.”
He touched her arm to stop her. “Could we take a walk outside?”
Rachel studied his face and must have seen something worthy, because she nodded. He held the door open, and she followed him out. His hand shook as he closed the door. They walked toward the back of her property, silencing the crickets with each step.
He needed to tell her that he forgave her, but now his bitterness seemed petty. Why had it taken him so long?
Rachel walked beside him, wringing her hands together. Did he make her nervous?
He sighed and faced her. “I want you to know I’m sorry.”
She shook her head. “You have nothing to be sorry for. I’m the one at fault.”
“I wish you’d explain to me what happened.”
She turned away, fidgeting. “I should have told you right away, but I was afraid.”
He clutched her shoulders, forcing her to face him. “Afraid of what?”
Her head hung down, and her hands refused to be still. “That I’d lose you.”
“You lost me anyway. It’s time you tell me what happened. It will help us both. Take a load off our shoulders.”
The crickets resumed their chirping all around them, blending with the noise of the tree frogs. A full moon shone bright, illuminating Rachel. He tipped her face up. “Please tell me, Rach.”
She shuddered, as if carrying the weight of the world. “I married James because I was pregnant with his child.”
Luke staggered, his hand going to his chest. Never once had he considered she might have been unfaithful. All these years he’d pined for her, and now he allowed his hopes to rise again, only to be dashed on the rocks once more. She’d been with another man. Before marriage.
Rachel stared up at him with tears charging down her face. “I’m so sorry, Luke.”
He paced away, putting some distance between him and Rachel. God, how could this happen? His heart ached as if someone had plunged a sword through it. “I loved you like no man has ever loved a woman. I’d have done anything for you, and you betrayed me with another man—my friend, no less.”
Tears burned Luke’s eyes as Rachel’s betrayal burned deep. The rage of his unforgiving spirit shot up like the force of a dark angel fleeing hell. He ground his back teeth together and clenched his fists.
“I tried to f–fight him off, but he was too strong.” Rachel’s voice sounded far away, as if she’d fallen in a well.
Suddenly his rage fled, and something worse wormed its way into his heart. Had he heard correctly? “What?”
“I told him no. I tried to get away, but we were alone, and h–he always took what he wanted.”
Luke closed his eyes, hating the truth. James had his way with the woman Luke loved.
“If he wasn’t dead, I’d be very tempted to kill him.” Luke grabbed Rachel’s shoulders. “Why in the world did you marry him after that? Didn’t you know I’d take care of you?”
Rachel ducked her head. “I went to visit my aunt after the attack for six weeks. By the time I returned, I knew I was pregnant.” Rachel’s chin quivered. “You were out working on the Carney ranch by then. I saw James one day, and he convinced me that you wouldn’t want me anymore. That no decent man would.” She heaved in a breath that made her shudder. “He offered to do right by me, and we married the next day.”
Luke stared up at the dark sky. Why didn’t You protect her?
“I was also afraid if you knew the truth that you’d do something to James. His father would have made sure you went to prison—or worse—if you’d retaliated.”
She was right. He knew that. But he felt robbed of the chance to vindicate Rachel. He would have back then if he’d known the truth, and that could well have ended in his death.
“Is Jack the child you had?”
Rachel nodded. “Garrett and Mark spread word that she was born
early, since she was so small. I never liked what they did, but I know it was to protect my reputation. I’ll always be grateful.”
“How did they know to do that?”
“They found me at the river. They knew you and I were supposed to be there, and they came to swim, but t–they found me instead. I pleaded with them not to tell anyone, and for once, they did as asked.”
Luke forked his fingers through his hair, hating himself for choosing work over Rachel that day. If only he’d gone to the river. “I appreciate your telling me this. I know it wasn’t easy.”
Rachel didn’t respond. She wiped her eyes and fiddled with a fold in her skirt. Luke didn’t know what to say. His cousins had lied to protect Rachel, and wrong as it was, he’d be eternally grateful. A woman had nothing if she didn’t have her reputation.
All manner of thoughts swirled through his head. He’d blamed Rachel for wanting a better life—for marrying James because of his money—when the truth had been far different. He squeezed his eyes shut. Oh, how he must have hurt her by his refusal to forgive. He’d been stupid. Ungrateful for the changes God had made in his own life. Rachel had been a victim, but he’d blamed her for his own pain, when hers must have been unbearable.
“I want you to know that I’m sorry for everything—for not showing up that day—for what James did. For not being there when you needed me.” He took hold of her and pulled her into a hug so quickly she gasped. She stood there woodenly, not responding, and he could hardly blame her. She probably hated him for how he’d treated her. “C’mon, I’ll walk you back.”
At the door, she stopped. “I don’t blame you for any of this, I hope you know that. You were just trying to work hard to get us a start.”
“I need some time to think and pray; then I’d like to talk to you again, if that’s all right.”
She nodded, and a faint smile tugged at her cheeks. The door clicked shut, and he leaned against the house, digesting all he’d learned. Never once had he considered such a scenario.
He allowed himself to think back, and the memory of that day came into focus. He’d been whipping through his chores at home, anxious to meet Rachel at the river as they’d prearranged. He’d been busy working for weeks and missed her terribly, and he had looked forward to sweet talking her and stealing a few kisses. She’d set aside an hour to sit and talk with him at the river before her mother expected her back home to help with supper. He’d been on his way to meet her when a local rancher had waylaid him and asked him to deliver a load of supplies he’d just bought to his ranch.
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