The Darkest Blue

by Hildie McQueen

  Her mother huffed. “A young woman alone in this untamed territory? Sometimes I think your father has given you too many liberties.” She flashed a pointed look toward her father who found the coffee in his cup to be most interesting at that moment. “There are but a handful of acceptable men in this town. Your options are extremely limited, young lady.”

  Immediately, a familiar face flashed into her mind and Grace took a deep breath. The man she wanted to marry was not as wealthy as Ford, but did well enough. And in her opinion, he was exponentially more handsome. The man she desired with all her heart had also been a cavalryman, yet he never boasted of his accomplishments. In fact, he seemed to be more haunted by them. However, in his silence, she sensed his strength and valor. She could definitely do better than Ford. If only there was a way to draw Ashley Cole to her before she was forced into a marriage arranged by her meddling mother.

  For now, she’d play the part. But somehow, she’d have to devise a way to thwart any attempt at being wed to Ford.

  Her lips curved and she kissed her mother’s cheek. “You know, Mother, I have some preparing to do. I am going to retire to my room and plan my outfit for tomorrow.” When her mother smiled in response at her change of mind, Grace hurried up the stairs. Yes, she would go on that infernal ride with Captain Ford the next afternoon, but afterwards, she’d head to Cole lands with a plan in mind. She’d devise a way to garner time alone with Ashley to find out more about Captain Ford. It was imperative to ask Ashley why he warned her to stay away from Ford when she’d run in to him in town a few months earlier.

  Chapter Three

  Sitting with her back straight, Grace waited for Ford to round the transport and climb in. He’d brought with him an elegant carriage along with a driver, which was rare in the territory as it took a great deal of money to acquire such an item.

  He settled across from her and stretched his long legs, then tapped at the carriage roof signaling the driver to go. Grace pushed back into the plush seat cushions and felt self-conscious to be cloistered inside with him, yet she was glad for the cover of it. The townsfolk would be interested in who road inside with Ford and she didn’t want to be the subject of speculation. Unlike her, Ford leaned forward and peered out the window as if hoping to catch someone’s eye.

  Upon leaving town, his cool gaze met hers and he straightened while studying her. “I was surprised you accepted my invitation, Grace. You seemed hesitant last night. Can I ask you why?”

  It would be foolish to admit her reservations when alone with the man, so Grace shrugged and made light of it. “With all the attention of the town’s people, I suppose I find it incredible you seek me out in particular, Captain Ford.”

  “Please call me, Erwin,” he told her, his lips curving into a half smile. Even smiling, his expression did not come across as warm, and she looked out the window.

  “We are nearing Cole lands,” she stated for sake of making conversation.

  Erwin leaned forward and peered out the window. “They seem to own a lot of it.”

  “Yes, their lands are quite plentiful. I believe it’s parceled out between the father and the three sons.”

  He scrutinized her and she looked to the coach’s door to see if it was locked. “You are about the same age as the Cole brothers. Do you know them well?”

  Grace nodded and peered to the landscape, not wanting to discuss her relatives with him. “I know them well enough. We all grew up here in Alder Gulch, but our families rarely visited each other over the years.”

  “What about Ashley Cole? I saw you walking with him the other day. I’ve yet to make his acquaintance, but you seemed to get along well with him.”

  “Hardly,” she replied with a sniff to make her point. “The twins, Grayson and Bronson, are nice enough, I suppose.” She cocked her head to the side. “Ashley Cole was merely being of assistance that day, helping me with my packages. He’s a quiet man. I’m surprised you don’t know him. He also served in the cavalry.”

  Captain Ford lifted an eyebrow, but his expression remained unreadable. “I know of him. Learned from townsfolk Ashley Cole is not well liked. That he’s been arrested a time or two by your father.”

  Grace felt protective of Ashley for no other reason than Erwin Ford being a newcomer into town and the other man, someone she grew up knowing even if at a distance. At least that’s what she told herself. “Yes well, most of the young men in town have brawled a time or two and ended up in jail for a night. Tell me, Erwin, have you ever been in trouble with the law?”

  The change in his countenance was instant. His eyes narrowed and lips pressed together in a straight, disapproving line. If it were possible to move further away from him she would. He scowled a moment longer. “I do not take the law lightly, Grace. A man who does not abide by it deserves the most severe punishment.” He seemed to realize the effect of his looming over her and slid back onto his seat and stretched his legs, crossing them at the ankles and lifted his hands behind his head. The picture of relaxation. “I do not mean to be so forceful in my opinion. I apologize.”

  An appropriate response did not come to mind, so Grace only smiled at him and nodded. She gestured out the window. “Do you mind if we stop and walk? I’d like to pick some flowers for the house.”

  “Of course.” Erwin knocked on the carriage’s wall and the driver brought it to a stop. It was all Grace could do not to jump out. She couldn’t breathe in the close confinement with him. Adding to her discomfort, she wore a tightly corseted dress her mother insisted she don. The constrictive garment made it almost impossible to take a full breath.

  As soon as Ford assisted her from the carriage, she walked towards a field of wildflowers. The wind moved the array of blues from one side to the other, the swaying blooms making her release a breath. The warm sun on her face and the pleasant breeze were welcome changes. Grace drifted through the field without picking until she saw Ford headed towards her. She bent and gently nipped several flowers, laying them across her arm. Tiny bunches of blue blooms caught her attention and Grace gathered them as well. Their light fragrance tickled her nose and she brought them closer.

  “What are those?” he asked, seeming genuinely interested in the flowers.

  “Bachelor’s buttons. Aren’t they the most delightful shade of blue?” She lifted a bud to him and he took it from her, his eyes held hers for a couple of seconds before he looked to the flower.

  “Yes they are.” He looked back to her. “As pretty as these are, you are more beautiful than all of them put together.” He gestured to the field.

  “Oh…thank you.” Uneasy under his regard, she returned to picking flowers and he walked alongside, his hands behind his back without speaking. When he walked a few paces ahead and looked towards the mountains, Grace studied his profile. There was no question about it. Captain Erwin Ford was a very attractive man. Wide-shouldered and tall, his stance straight, she imagined he’d made a fine sight in uniform. But something about him made her wary, suspicious. Not normally one to like someone immediately at meeting them, Grace wondered if perhaps this was another instance of her taking a while before trusting someone. It could be she was being unfair. After all, Erwin Ford was trying to get to know her and, so far, he seemed genuine. Besides, her father, normally a good judge of character, gave them permission to come out alone. Perhaps, she could try. After all, what chance did she really have with Ashley?

  When Ford’s gaze returned to her, she smiled at him and lifted her bunch of flowers. “Thank you for stopping. I believe I have enough for several vases.”

  Once settled in the carriage, Erwin appeared more relaxed. She looked up from the flowers and caught him studying her.

  Erwin smiled. “Your coloring is most alluring. I don’t think I’ve ever seen hair so black, and your eyes, they are also black are they not?”

  “My eyes are dark brown. A very dark brown.” She took a breath. “As far as my hair color, I am adopted. I don’t know who my parents are. My father bel
ieves them dead.”

  He seemed to ponder her revelation. “The only time I’ve seen the shade is on Indians.”

  Where was he going with this conversation? She shrugged. “Does that mean you dislike my hair, Erwin?”

  It was his turn to flush. “No, of course not. What I mean is, yes, it’s quite beautiful. A rare combination of dark hair and fair skin.”

  “Thank you.” Grace lifted an eyebrow at him. “If you plan to get to know me, let me warn you I do not mince words. I prefer things said bluntly so there are no misunderstandings. Unlike most women, I am not one who swoons at flowery words.”

  His eyebrows rose, but he didn’t seem shocked at her words. “Duly noted.”

  Grace proceeded to tell him about the families when passing homes as they made their way back to town.

  Chapter Four

  “You will come to dinner tonight.” Elizabeth Cole stood next to the corral when Ashley returned along with his brothers and father from herding cattle. His mother’s eyes locked to his and she tilted her head waiting for his response.

  “Yes, ma’am.” Ashley dismounted and went to her. He’d not apologize for staying away the last few days, because she’d not accept it. Instead he allowed her arms around him and he bent to kiss her cheek. “I love you, Ma.” His mother, ever observant, found out about the house several days earlier and remained put out at him not telling her.

  She cupped his jaw with both hands and studied his face, her eyes missing nothing. “Ash, why do you have a bruise on your temple there?” She pressed a finger on the spot and he flinched.

  “Rope swung too close.” He looked toward his younger brother, Bronson, who glared at him in return. Ashley couldn’t help but smile back at him. “Bronson hit me with his rope.”

  His mother swung toward Bronson, her hands on her hips. “This fighting between you brothers has got to stop. What possessed you to hit Ashley?”

  “It was an accident, Ma,” Bronson dismounted and guided his horse towards the stables. “Ash, tell her you got in the way.”

  Grayson attempted to walk away but his mother’s sharp tone stopped him. “Gray, what did you do that you’re in such a hurry to leave without so much as a goodbye?”

  The twin turned around and immediately his mother caught sight of the bruising on his jaw. After Bronson caught Ashley on the side of his face with the rope, Ashley had tackled his brother. With a loud whoop, Grayson had leaped on top of them and they’d rolled around fighting until Josiah and their father broke them up. Afterwards, they’d all lain on the ground grinning like a trio of idiots.

  Of course, his mother was not understanding of this. She turned to each of them, a frown in place. “One would think at your age, you boys would grow up and stop with all the hitting.” Her bottom lip quivered and immediately they all stepped toward her. She held her hands up putting them off. “It hurts that you boys don’t love each other. You were raised to be kind. To-to care about your own blood.”

  She whirled and went to their father who put his arm around her shoulders. Guiding her towards the house, Hank Cole glared over his shoulder at them. “Bronson, make sure you brush my horse down good before you put him in his stall. Don’t take too long and be late for supper.”

  Stomach growling at the thought of food, there was little chance of that. Ashley grabbed his horse’s reins and led the animal to the side of the barn. All three brothers looked to their parents.

  “Ma seem angrier or somethin’ to you lately?” Grayson came up beside him with their father’s horse in tow. “It’s almost like she’s worried about something and she ain’t tellin’ us.”

  “I don’t know,” Ashley replied, suddenly concerned. “We could ask Pa.” The idea of something wrong with his mother made his heart sink. He loved his father, but she was the anchor in his life.

  After his biological mother abandoned him and his father when he was just an infant, Elizabeth married Hank and took over as the only mother he ever knew. She always joked that the only reason she’d married his father was that she’d fallen in love with his baby boy and Ashley almost believed her. He’d never felt slighted by her. If anything, the twins often complained that he was her favorite. She’d spoiled him as a child and to this day, she usually took his side whenever he and the twins had a disagreement. Admittedly, he exploited it to a fault.

  “What do you figure it could be?” Bronson asked him, the same concern he felt reflected in his brother’s eyes. “You think she’s sick or something?”

  “God, I hope not.” Ashley dropped the brush and pulled the horse to the stall. “I’m going to the house. Maybe I can talk to Pa and find out.”

  Bronson came and took the reins to take their father’s horse to be brushed.

  “I better head on home.” Grayson headed towards his horse. “Figure Nora’s gonna holler at me, too, when she sees my face.” Ashley remained without moving and watched his brother mount and gallop toward his home only a couple miles away.

  Thankfully, he found his father alone in front of the hearth in the family room. The patriarch rested his hand on the mantel and looked toward him. “You didn’t take long to stable the horse. You must be hungry.” His father grinned and bent to pet the large dog that entered behind Ashley.

  “Pa?” Ashley neared and kept a wary eye on the doorway. “Is Ma all right? She seems to be more emotional than normal. We were wondering if there’s something we should know.”

  His father motioned to the chairs and they sat. Both took turns looking toward the doorway to ensure Elizabeth Cole did not enter. “Women go through a change at a certain age. From what Doctor Dougherty told me, it’s natural and, other than some irritability and being overly sensitive, it’s nothing to worry too much about.” He hesitated and both, once again, shifted their eyes to the room’s entrance. “She’s taking something to help her relax some, but she’s almost out. It would be a good idea for you to go to town tomorrow and pick more up for her.”

  Ashley had avoided town for months since spotting his old cavalry commander, Captain Ford, while running errands for his mother. He considered that, perhaps, it was time to confront the situation and find out what the man was doing there. “Yeah, all right, Pa. I’ll go in the morning.”

  Just then, Elizabeth Cole entered, linking arms with Grace Dawson and his throat constricted. With an excessively bright smile, his mother addressed them. “Grace has agreed to join us for dinner.” Her sparkling eyes met Ashley’s. “After she has a word with you, Ash.”

  He couldn’t help looking down at his clothing. Dusty and sweaty from herding, his appearance was not the best at the moment. Then again, what did it matter? Whatever Grace came about had nothing personal to do with him.

  “They just got back from working so don’t get too close to him,” his mother told Grace, whose gaze roamed from his boots up to his face. Ashley fought the urge to run his fingers through his tussled hair and dust off his britches.

  “I’ll ensure to keep a distance, Mrs. Cole. We can sit outside. There is a nice breeze on the porch.” Her smile was directed at his mother, but it made something in his chest pitch, which in turn prompted him to scowl.

  He followed Grace outside to the porch and waited for her to sit before lowering to a chair. As was his habit, he waited without speaking. Silence never bothered him. To him, it was a respite, time to gather his thoughts.

  Grace looked across the expanse of the space in front of the house, toward where her horse was tethered. “This is my first time riding so far on Red. He’s a good mount. I enjoyed it.”

  Ashley studied the large beast and felt his eyes widen. “You rode astride here?”

  “You sound like my mother,” Grace replied with frown. “Yes, I rode astride. My point was to tell you that I love the horse. It’s one of Grayson’s.”

  The horse did look familiar. He noticed a large, white patch in the shape of a misshapen heart on his rump and remembered. A rifle was tucked into a strap on the side of the saddle. “Rig
ht. Gray breeds beautiful horses.”

  They lapsed into silence again and Grace stood and placed her hand on one of the columns. He took the opportunity to study her. Her long, thick, black hair was pulled up into a no-nonsense bun at her nape. From it, wisps of hair came loose and flew across her face. With coffee-colored eyes and a mouth he could only describe as large and full, he found her to be a stunning woman. Although diminutive, she was not a delicate creature. Strength of character in her stance and posture were a reflection of her personality. Direct and to the point, she rarely minced words, which was why he wondered at her silence now.

  Finally she faced him. “Tell me why you told me to stay away from Captain Ford.”

  Not what he expected, but then again, he didn’t know what she wanted from him by coming to the Cole ranch. “Why do you ask?”

  She huffed and turned to face him. “Answer my question. Just yesterday, I spoke with him and he claimed to have never met you.”

  Interesting. If anything, he expected the man to call out to the four winds that Ashley was the murderer everyone suspected him to be. “Why were you with him?”

  “Again another question.” She huffed, sat and folded her hands in her lap.

  Silence.

  Ashley sat back in the chair and placed his hands behind his head. “I won’t answer your question until you answer mine.”

  Her only reaction to his comment was to sit back and study her nails.

  She’d break and speak first, of that he was sure. If anyone could beat someone else at this game, it was he. Ashley looked across the field to where Grayson lived on his portion of the lands. He was probably already home with his wife, who no doubt awaited him with dinner. Grayson had made a good choice in marrying Nora Banks. He liked his sister-in-law and her handling of what had been his unruly brother.

  “We were out for a ride…in his carriage.”