The Darkest Blue

by Hildie McQueen

  Light snowflakes fell, but the day was not too cold. She enjoyed the walk and it seemed several people were of the same thought. A few townsfolk milled about moving between the mercantile and the other buildings in town. Just as she reached the edge of the building, Bronson Cole ran across the street and she stopped when he motioned for her.

  He tipped his hat at a woman that bustled past and then took Grace’s elbow and led her to the shelter of the mercantile overhang. “I was coming to see you and your family. How is your father doing?” She studied his face. Although he was almost identical to Grayson, she could definitely see some of Ashley in him.

  “He’s much better, thank you. If you want to wait for me to pick up a few things, you can walk back with me.”

  “All right.” Bronson looked to Josiah.

  “I’ll head back to the house then,” Josiah said and turned away.

  She made quick work of purchasing the products needed and placed the bundles in her basket. When she went to Bronson, he took the basket and walked out with her. They walked for a bit in silence then he cleared his throat. “He cares about you. A great deal.” Bronson looked to her.

  “Josiah?”

  “No. Ashley,” he smiled at seeing she’d been making fun of him.

  “It’s just that he has some things that he is having a hard time getting past and doesn’t want to burden you with them.”

  She’d understood immediately he spoke of Ashley. “If he’s not willing to try, then what can I do?” Grace frowned. “Your brother is a brave man. At least, I thought he was. Yet, he’s allowing fear to run his life.” She let out a breath. “If he truly cares for me then he’ll make an effort. But let me tell you something.” She pressed her hand on his arm to make him stop and face her. “I am not going to sit around like some simpering, shrinking violet waiting for a man to decide what he wants to do.”

  “I believe you,” Bronson replied with raised eyebrows. “I can’t imagine you being a simpering anything.”

  “Well, that’s because I’m not. I may love your brother but there is only so much I can do.” She took a step but stopped when realizing what she said. “I mean…well, you know what I mean.”

  “You love Ashley.” Bronson grinned like an idiot. “That’s the second best news I’ve heard in the last few weeks.”

  “What’s the first?”

  “I found out some information for Ashley that he didn’t expect. It was good news.”

  They arrived at her house before she could ask Bronson for any details. Her mother ushered him to her father’s bedroom while she went to the kitchen to make coffee. How could she have blurted out her feelings about Ashley? She’d not admitted it out loud to anyone yet and of all the people to say it to. Grace heaved a breath.

  Her mother took two cups from the cabinet and filled them with the fresh brew. “Sit with me, Grace.”

  She sat and studied her mother. She’d finally gotten rest and looked less pale than the last few days when Grace suspected she kept constant vigil over her father through the nights. “What weighs on your mind? You seem upset.”

  “What is going to happen to me, Mother? Will I remain here living with you as a spinster? Although I think it’s not a bad life, it makes me wonder about how lonely it could get. I don’t know if anyone will ever want to marry me. Papa and his overprotectiveness scare most away. I’ve always been so blunt and run off any man that even tried to seek me.”

  “What about Ashley?” her mother asked, shocking her. “He seemed sweet on you that day at the fair.”

  “He’s not coming back. Bronson says he’s got some things in his past and doesn’t want to burden me.”

  “What do you think?”

  Grace studied her mother. “I thought you and father didn’t like him.”

  “You father feels bad about it now. He’s planning to apologize to Ashley once he’s well enough to move about.”

  “That will be good.” Grace hesitated, pondering her mother’s question. “I love Ashley Cole.” Saying it made tears spring to her eyes, but she soldiered forward. “This is what I think. I think that men sometimes get hung up on something and let that one thing grow to the size of a mountain, and then they feel they can’t take on the mountain so they give up without ever trying.”

  Her mother smiled. “I didn’t know you were so wise. I agree. Your father was that way when we first met. Refused to ask me to marry him until he finished building this house. He frustrated me so that I wanted to kick him.” They giggled.

  “Did you wait?”

  Eyes sparkling, her mother shook her head. “I told him I was going to allow Sam Perkins to take me to the spring dance and that he and his house could have a good life together.”

  The sound of her mother’s laughter lightened some of the weight on her chest. “I bet he proposed then.”

  “Yes, he did. We finished the house just before we found you.”

  Grace smiled at her mother. “Thank you. I think it’s time for me to act. I will take a chance on Ashley and if it doesn’t work, then at least I will know it wasn’t because I didn’t try.”

  “That’s my girl.”

  Chapter Twenty

  “Oh my God.” His mother held on to her husband sobbing against his chest. “How can people be so cruel?” Her tear streaked face turned to Ashley and he felt guilty at placing the burden of what happened to him on his parents.

  A lump formed in his throat when his father’s eyes brimmed with tears as he attempted to comfort his wife. “He will pay for what he’s done. One way or another.”

  Ashley sat still, not sure whether to continue or not. But he’d set his mind to telling them everything and he would. “In my nightmares, I always see him. Smith, his lifeless face, haunts me. Sometimes I am tied up again and being beaten. When I wake, I am usually disoriented, attempting to defend myself.”

  “Of course you are.” His mother didn’t move near. His family knew him well enough to understand his body language. “That’s why you attacked Grayson that time he tried to soothe you.”

  “Yes. That’s why it’s best if I sleep alone and away from…others.”

  His father cocked his head to the side. “You need to face it, son. Find out what it will take to conquer this thing. You’re innocent. Smith died, yes. But you were a good friend to defend him.”

  He’d not thought of it that way. He’d always concentrated on the fact that he failed his friend. If in the same situation, he’d want someone to fight for him. Ashley frowned at the floor. “I did, didn’t I?”

  “Yes, baby, you did,” his mother assured him. “I am so proud of you for enduring all you did and still maintaining such a good, pure heart. In my eyes, you are the bravest hero.”

  “I wouldn’t go that far.” He raked his fingers through his hair but couldn’t help the surge of pride her words brought.

  “I agree with your ma. You make me proud, son.” His father ignored Ashley’s not wanting to be touched and came over and cupped his face, his eyes boring into Ashley’s. “And you deserved to be happy, to have a family, and a woman besides your mother to fuss over you.”

  His father squeezed his shoulder and Ashley couldn’t help but smile.

  If only he’d talked to them about it before, his healing would have begun then.

  *****

  “Of course you should bring her here, son.” Elizabeth Cole told Bronson a couple days later. “It saddens me to think of that poor girl all alone during the entire winter. And with a baby.” Her mother shook her head. “If she lived closer I’d send you to go fetch her now.”

  Ashley studied Bronson. His brother was animated when talking of the woman, Laura. For Bronson’s sake, Ashley hoped the woman’s husband was, indeed, dead. Otherwise, Bronson was headed straight for heartbreak.

  Elizabeth directed her next statement at Ashley. “You have to take risks sometimes, son, otherwise life will pass you by and some of the best things will be gone. It’s best not to wait until it’s t
oo late.”

  No one asked him about what happened between him and Grace. They’d given up since he refused to talk about her. There was nothing to say. The fact she remained ever present in his thoughts and was the first thing he thought about upon waking and the last before sleeping was not up for discussion. She deserved better than a tormented man. She needed someone who’d protect her, not possibly hurt her while she slept.

  As if reading his thoughts his mother studied him. “You look well rested, Ash. Have you been sleeping better since learning you’re not wanted by the cavalry? It must help to know Ford will be hung for that poor boy’s death.”

  It had been almost a week since he’d woken up sweating and screaming from a night terror. Did he dare hope that things for him would change? “It has been better,” he replied cautiously.

  “Well good,” his mother said nonchalantly while cutting into a pie. “It’s almost Thanksgiving. We have a lot to be thankful for this year. Miles is recovering well, so I’ve invited them to come for the holiday.”

  His brother snorted in an ill-concealed attempt to hide a chuckle. On the other hand, his father looked directly at Ashley and laughed. “I’d like to see you try to get out of that dinner.”

  Ashley inhaled and held his plate out for his mother to place the dessert on. “I will be here and I’m sure it will be an enjoyable dinner. That’s very thoughtful of you, Ma, to invite them. After all, it’s partly my fault Ford shot Sheriff Dawson.”

  “It’s not in any way your fault.” His mother frowned at him. “That man is a sick person who came here looking to take over our small town. Just knowing he could be out there hurting more people makes my skin crawl.”

  “The Marshals told Miles they tracked him north into Sioux country. Ford won’t have a chance out there if the Indians get a hold of him,” his father told them between bites.

  After dinner, Ashley went out to the porch where his father played the guitar, a soft melody settling over him in a familiar ending to the evening meal. He leaned on the porch column and looked across the field to the now darkening sky. “I don’t want Ma to be disappointed with me if I never get married. But I don’t see it happening. Grace ain’t gonna wait forever.”

  “Why should she?” His father’s question made Ashley turn to him. “She’s a beautiful girl in a town where women are scarce. I don’t think she should wait for you to get around to whatever it is you’re convinced needs fixin’.”

  Ashley swallowed back an angry retort. “It doesn’t matter. Like you said, she’s got better prospects.”

  “I didn’t say that.” His father put the guitar down and came to stand next to him. “I’m just stating the truth. She’s young and probably wants a family, deserves to move on if you’re not willing to marry her.”

  “I love her.” The blunt statement seemed to catch his father off guard because his eyebrows shot up and his mouth hung open.

  Hank recovered quickly. “Then do something about it, son. Love changes things, gives a man the courage to face his demons. I couldn’t imagine going through what you did. But that does not make you worth anything less. The fact that you survived and moved forward proves you’re a strong, brave man.”

  Not convinced, Ashley could only look at the ground. “Thank you, Pa.” The thought of someone courting Grace made his stomach churn. He’d kill anyone that dared touch her.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Ashley studied the table. He’d spent hours working on it and was still not happy with the results. The top was not even enough and perhaps he’d made it too tall. A shot echoed outside and he rushed to the open door. No one was outside.

  Perhaps a hunter was in the woods and whoever it was, didn’t realize he’d trespassed onto Cole lands.

  He went outside and instantly knew someone was near.

  “You didn’t think I’d leave without ensuring you paid for ruining everything did you?” Erwin Ford’s voice came from beyond a tree.

  Ashley took two steps back to take cover behind a large column that held his porch up. “Come out, Ford.”

  A bearded and haggard Ford walked out, dragging Grace with him, a gun pressed at her temple. Her lip was split and her jaw bruised, but she looked to be otherwise unhurt. She glared at Ford, not seeming to be overly fearful. When the man yanked her forward, she dug her heels into the ground. “Let me go this instant, Erwin!”

  “Put your weapon down.”

  “Release her, Ford. It’s me you want.” Ashley withdrew his gun and placed it onto the porch floorboards.

  Ford’s hand trembled and Ashley wondered if the man wasn’t beyond reason. From the look of him, he’d been living in hiding. “You are wrong. I want to kill you both.”

  “What will that achieve?” Ashley asked while he attempted to silently communicate to Grace not to aggravate the man. She pressed her lips together and stopped struggling against Ford.

  “Achieve? When I kill you, I will have won. Don’t you see, all my plans…they are ruined because of you…I can’t get hold of my man. All my money, my possessions, they are gone.” He lowered the gun and looked around as if forgetting where he was. Ashley attempted to crouch to reach his gun, but Ford caught him and shot toward him.

  The shot missed, hitting the wall behind Ashley. “Don’t.” Ford shuffled sideways with Grace. “Kick it to me.”

  Ashley did as told.

  “Let’s go inside, should we?”

  Once Ashley entered, Ford and Grace followed inside. Ford took a few moments to look around. “Perhaps I will remain here for a couple of days before moving on. Tell me Cole, do you have any money?”

  “Some.” Ashley looked to Grace who eyed Ford’s gun. She glanced back to him and he mouthed “No”.

  Ford swung the gun toward him. “Sit in that chair there.” He then trained the gun at Ashley’s head and smiled at Grace. “Tie him up and don’t try anything unless you want to finish tying up a headless man.”

  Grace went to where Ashley had a rope hanging near the front door. She then went to him.

  “Sit in the chair,” Ford repeated, his gun pointed straight at Grace’s back. That fact forced Ashley to cooperate. He would not fight, not yet.

  She mouthed something he could not make out, then looked to the rope. His eyes shifted to the rope.

  Ford neared and shoved the gun into her side. “Put your hands behind your back, Cole.”

  The crazy bastard had to die. Ashley put his hands behind his back and Grace tied them together and whispered to him, “I’m so sorry.”

  “Don’t!” Ford screamed at her. “Don’t apologize to him. If anything, apologize to me.” He grabbed her by the hair, dragging her to stand in front of Ashley. The madman’s narrowed eyes met Ashley’s. “I told you she’d be mine.” With one hard push, Grace was on the floor her hands up to where Ford held her by the hair. Still she didn’t cry, but her wide eyes went to Ashley.

  “Did you know that Cole spent weeks tied to a tree like a dog? He ate like an animal. Did he tell you how he spent his last days in the cavalry? He begged for food and water.” Ford’s laughter was without mirth. “I bet you didn’t know that, did you? He couldn’t win against me then and he won’t now.”

  Rage filled Ashley, but a deep part of him could not help but wait for Grace’s reaction. To see either pity or disgust when she looked to him would kill what was left of his pride.

  “Of course I didn’t know all that. Why should I?” Grace snapped. “I am shocked he was honorable enough not to shoot you on sight after being treated like that. I would have.”

  She looked to Ashley and slid her eyes toward his feet. It was then he noticed the hammer he’d been working with earlier. It was partially hidden by wood shavings. But how could he grab it? He pulled at his wrists and had to grab the rope to keep it from slipping off. She’d tied it into some type of slipknot.

  Ford released Grace. “Take your clothes off.” When she hesitated, he took a step toward Ashley and pointed the gun at his head.
>
  “Don’t do it, Grace,” Ashley told her and Ford swung the gun to hit him with it. Ashley raised his left arm to block the hit and threw a punch with his right, catching Ford off-balance.

  The man fell and lost the grip on his gun.

  “Run to the back!” Ashley yelled at Grace and rushed Ford, who attempted to get to the gun. They rolled one over the other, the man surprisingly strong.

  Ford picked up a handful of wood shavings and threw them at Ashley’s face. Several bits flew into his eyes and he blinked in an attempt to dislodge them. It gave Ford the opportunity to throw a punch that caught Ashley in the jaw which propelled him onto his side.

  Barely able to see past the tears, Ashley swung at Ford when the man threw himself over Ashley, hands around his throat.

  Ashley bucked him off and managed to hit him a couple times before Ford grabbed the chair and swung wildly, catching Ashley on the side. Ashley avoided the second swing and was able to grab the chair and wrestle it away.

  With a loud growl, Ford attacked once again. Ashley kicked Ford, sending him sliding across the floor.

  The room became still. Ford’s eyes widened and he struggled to get up, only to fall again. He rolled to his side, arm twisted around, hand grasping at a large, splintered piece of wood impaled deeply into his back.

  “No. No. I can’t lose. Not now.” Blood sputtered from his mouth. “No. You aren’t anything. You are nobody.” He glared at Ashley. “You are nothing.”

  Ashley neared and looked to the man who’d haunted his dreams. “I don’t believe you’re right, Ford. It is you who are not worth a damn.”

  When the man’s eyes ceased focusing, Ashley could only stare transfixed. Ford was dead.

  “Ashley?” Grace stood at the bedroom doorway.

  “Ford’s dead. Don’t look.” He pushed her toward the front door, blocking her view of Ford. On his way out the door, he grabbed his heavy jacket and threw it over her. He then donned a lighter one. “I’ll take you home now.”