She gently set the coons still wrapped in his kerchief in the crate. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” As she fell in step beside him, he said, “I’m sure these critters will be as happy as my cowboys that you didn’t get off that train before it arrived in Oak Grove.”
The smile that appeared on her face was accompanied by a shine on her cheeks. “Only because they were, and always are, hungry.”
“And they like clean clothes,” he teased.
She smiled again, but said nothing more while opening the door to the house. He wanted to ask if she liked being here, but, in truth, was afraid she might say no. It wasn’t as if she’d had a lot of options. Nor had he. Which didn’t goad him like it once had. Neither did the money he’d put out. The house was so clean it gleamed, there wasn’t a hole or loose button on any of his clothing, and the meals always on the table were beyond any he’d eaten in the past. All of that, and her, had given cause for the pride he felt over his ranch to increase even more.
“I’ll put the crate in the far corner,” he said, walking past Rex’s closed bedroom door. Without her, Rex may have lost his other leg. The old man would have insisted on feeding the men, and that wouldn’t have given him time to heal.
“Thank you. I’m going to soak some bread crust in milk, see if they’ll eat that.”
She was at the counter, already taking a dish out of the cupboard. He set the box down and unfolded the kerchief so the critters could move about. Curious by nature, the raccoons started sniffing and scratching at the hay and kerchief with their little front paws. He hadn’t thought much about her arrival, but now figured she had to have been about as nervous as the raccoons when she’d first entered his kitchen. Guilt once again filtered through his system. He was being more kind to these baby critters than he had been to her. Yet, without her, life around here would have been a fiasco.
He stood, and before he lost the courage, crossed the room and set both hands on her shoulders. As he turned her about, his heart stopped midbeat. So did his mind. Looking upon her adorable face, all he could think about was kissing her.
Her gaze skimmed over his face, his lips, making him wonder if she could read his mind. He let go of her shoulders. “I—I’m also glad you didn’t get off that train before Oak Grove.”
She frowned slightly, as if not sure she believed him. Then a smile formed. One that dang near knocked the breath right out of him. She was pretty, remarkably so, but up close, seeing how those blue eyes shone, he couldn’t say he’d ever seen a more beautiful woman.
Shifting slightly, she opened the cupboard door again and took something out. “Here,” she said, holding out her hand. “I saved some. Just for you.”
Two of the little candies she’d made out of honey sat in her palm. They were excellent, and he did have a taste for them, but he liked the fact she’d saved some just for him even more. Before he could consider his actions, he took the candies, pocketed them and planted a kiss square on her lips.
Chapter Ten
The lips beneath his were so soft and kissable Steve didn’t want to pull away, but the sound coming through the open door made him. When she stumbled slightly he held her arms for another moment, before saying, “I have to see who that is.”
He waited until she nodded before stepping away, and glanced back to make sure she was all right before heading to the door. She appeared so, but he may not be. Kissing her had ignited something deep inside him.
The buggy rolling into the yard irritated him in more ways than one. He’d figured the doc would be out again, and not just to check on Rex.
“I didn’t expect to see you around in the middle of the day,” Nelson said as he stopped the buggy.
“It’s my house,” Steve said.
“So it is.”
He’d already told Nelson Mary was off limits and shouldn’t have to repeat himself.
“Here to check on Rex,” Nelson said, climbing out of the buggy.
Steve folded his arms across his chest.
“Is he in the house?”
Steve turned to glance at the sound of the footsteps on the porch, and his heart skipped a beat at how flushed Mary’s cheeks were when their eyes met. Yet, with dignity, she turned to the doctor.
“Yes, but he’s napping.”
“I’m in no hurry,” Nelson said. “It’s nice to see you again, Mary.”
“Hello, Dr. Graham.”
“Come now, I said you must call me Nelson.”
For the briefest of moments, Steve had the urge to trip the doctor as he walked past on his way to the porch. As his gaze once again met Mary’s, he had to grin. There were times when it was as if he could read her mind, and at this moment, the hidden smile on her face made him wonder if she’d just read his.
Spinning about, he beat the doctor to the steps and took Mary’s arm, guiding her to his side while opening the door. “Come on in, Nelson. We can have a cup of coffee while you’re waiting for Rex to wake up.”
Mary glanced up at him, frowning slightly.
Once the doctor had entered the house, Steve whispered, “I’ll keep him company so you can see to the raccoons.”
Her face glowed. “Thank you, but will it keep you from your work?”
“No. Everything about the ranch is my work. Including Rex’s health.”
“Of course,” she said, stepping into the house. “It’ll only take me a moment to make fresh coffee and warm up the cinnamon rolls leftover from lunch.”
That was one more thing he liked. How she always had leftovers or sweet treats readily available. Taking a seat at the table, he asked Nelson of any news happening in town, and wanted to bite off his tongue when the doctor started talking about the brides and the events the town was hosting on their behalf. Parties and dances and picnics.
He kept glancing at Mary, as did Nelson. Steve couldn’t help but wonder if she was sorry to be missing the affairs.
“Your sister seems to be enjoying herself, Mary,” Nelson said. “I’d gladly escort you into town to visit her, or to attend one of the events. There will be—”
“I’m far too busy with my duties here to run off visiting,” she said, cutting Nelson short as she set two cups of coffee on the table along with two plates and then a platter of cinnamons rolls. “Now, please excuse me, but I have things to see to.”
Steve made no comment. He was too busy biting the inside of his cheek at how she’d declined Nelson’s invite. As she picked up the crate and carried it out of the kitchen, Rex’s bedroom door opened.
“I thought I smelled cinnamon,” Rex said. Then with a frown, he asked, “What are you doing out here again, Doc?”
Although put out by the visit, once the cinnamon rolls were consumed, Rex agreed to an examination by the doctor.
“Told you Mary’s taking excellent care of me,” Rex said once the poking and prodding was done.
Closing his medical bag, which he hadn’t needed, Nelson said, “I can see that. I’ll need to speak to her now.”
Holding his stance in the doorway, Steve asked, “Why?”
Nelson’s expression grew stern as he approached the doorway. “It’s a private matter.”
Steve made no effort to move, other than to let his stare tell the doctor if it was a challenge he wanted, it was a challenge he’d get. “She’s busy doing the things I pay her to do.”
Nelson’s eyes narrowed.
Neither of them had guns drawn, but it was a showdown just the same.
“Perhaps we should step outside,” Nelson said.
“By all means,” Steve agreed.
As they headed for the door, the click-clack of Rex’s crutch hitting the floor said the other man wasn’t about to miss the action. Steve waited until Nelson had crossed the threshold before he spun around. �
��Stay inside,” he told Rex. “And make sure Mary does, too.”
Rex growled, but then nodded as Steve pulled the door shut.
“I didn’t come out here to fight you,” Nelson said. “But you’re being unreasonable.”
Steve rolled up his sleeves while walking down the porch steps. “I don’t believe I’m being unreasonable about anything.”
“Aren’t you being unfair to Mary?” Nelson gestured toward the house. “In three weeks, she has to decide who she’ll marry. You’ve claimed it won’t be you, and it’s unfair of you to not let her get to know her choices.”
“She doesn’t want to marry any of them.”
“She doesn’t have a choice. Three weeks from tomorrow all five women will be wed in a ceremony at the church.”
Steve shook his head. “No one can force—”
“I told you about the fine print on the contract. Mary either marries someone in three weeks, or she’s sent back to Ohio to serve out her jail sentence.” Glancing toward the house again, Nelson continued, “You know Josiah isn’t going to let any of the women out of that contract. He not only has the law on his side, he has the entire community. Now, considering you won’t need her once Rex is healed, I’m asking you as a friend to step aside so she and I can get to know each other. So she’s comfortable with my proposal.”
Tension was tightening every muscle Steve had. Not only at Nelson’s request, but at the fact that what the man said was true. The entire town had backed the mail-order bride scheme, and no one would stand aside and watch it fail.
“Trust me, once the other women make their choices, you’re going to have a steady stream of suitors pounding on your door. Everyone knows this is where Mary’s at. Letting it be known she’s chosen me will lesson your problems tenfold.”
“I don’t have any problems,” Steve insisted. But he did. Not only was Nelson a good friend, he was also telling the truth. Every man who had made a donation to the Betterment Committee could start pounding on his door.
* * *
Mary couldn’t hear what Steve and the doctor were saying, but their stances said neither of them was happy.
“What you gonna name them?” Rex asked.
He was the reason she couldn’t hear Steve and Nelson. Not only had Rex shut the window before planting himself on a chair next to the crate, he’d talked nonstop since she’d carried the raccoons into the kitchen upon hearing the door shut.
“I’m not sure,” she said, leaning to peer around him and out the glass on the other side of the room.
“I think you should call them Spit and Spat,” Rex said. “That’s what it sounds like they are doing.”
“They are sucking the milk out of the bread,” she said.
“That was a good idea,” Rex said. “How’d you think of it?”
Her mind wasn’t on the coons, or how she’d come up with the idea of how to feed them. It was on the conversation happening outside. Which had nothing to do with Rex, and plenty to do with her. Her stomach, the way it was rolling, told her that. Every time the doctor appeared, she worried he’d learn about the tonic.
Rex was still talking, but she was no longer answering. Her mind had now gone to her sister, and how the doctor had said Maggie was enjoying herself. Maggie had always enjoyed social affairs, but should realize she shouldn’t be participating in them—not as one of the brides. That could ruin everything. It would be expected that Maggie marry one of them, and where would that leave her? She couldn’t leave town without Maggie, but she couldn’t stay here, either. She’d rather return to Ohio and face Sheriff Freiday than marry one of the men in Oak Grove.
No she wouldn’t. She had no desire to return to Ohio, nor could she live that far away from Maggie.
Spying the doctor walking toward his buggy, she took the baby raccoon out of Rex’s hands and set it amongst the hay. “I think they’re tired,” she said. “And I have bread to bake and the rest of the garden to hoe.”
Rex glanced out the window before he said, “I’ll see to the bread while you do the hoeing.”
“Thank you.” Mary hurried out the door, hoping to catch Steve, but was sorely disappointed to see him riding his horse alongside the doctor’s buggy. The two soon separated, the buggy continuing along the road while Steve rode his horse across the grass in the direction he’d approached from earlier. With a sigh, she headed toward the garden.
Once she started digging in the dirt, she let her mind consider some possibilities. Such as figuring out a way to get to town, or an excuse for Jess to take a message to Maggie, telling her to stop acting like a potential bride.
That thought made something else shoot across her mind, and she closed her eyes at how her lips started to tingle. She had never been kissed, and Steve’s lips pressed against hers had not only taken her by surprise, it had filled her with something she’d never experienced. An excitement that still lingered inside her. One that made her wish Steve had been looking for a wife instead of a cook.
Chapter Eleven
The sun had long ago set, leaving the sky black except for some faraway stars, and the only sound, other than the wind, was that of a cricket calling for a mate. Steve pushed one foot against the front porch floor to make the chair rock again. He should be in bed. Tomorrow would be another demanding day, but his mind was too busy to let him sleep. Had been too busy ever since Nelson had driven away two days ago. He’d made a mental list of options and outcomes, but not a one was up to his liking.
Josiah Melbourne wouldn’t let his betterment scheme fail, had gotten the entire town to back his plan right from the beginning and therefore there was no way Mary would escape being married off to someone. More than once, even before kissing her, Steve had considered being that someone, but couldn’t grasp onto the idea. Or refused to. For her sake more than his. This country was tough on women, and he didn’t want Mary’s life to be tough.
Watching her with Spit and Spat proved how gentle she was, how deeply she cared about things. Actually, there were moments he wished he hadn’t brought her those two little raccoons. The way she coddled them showed him how attached she’d already become to them, and letting them go was going to be hard for her.
He didn’t want her to suffer any hardships. He didn’t want her to marry Nelson, either. Or any of the other men who may have contributed to the Betterment Committee.
The cricket started chirping again, and the sound made him feel lonesome—something he hadn’t felt in a very long time. There was no reason to. A short distance away the bunkhouse was full of men he considered to be not only some of the best cowboys in these parts, but his friends, too. He had other friends as well. Folks in town, farmers, ranchers. He had this ranch, in addition. Had worked hard to get it to where it was today. All that should be more than enough.
A yawn pulled at his jaw, and hoping that signaled his mind was tired enough to let him get some sleep, Steve stood and made his way into the house. He climbed the stairs and started down the hall, but a rustle made him pause near Mary’s bedroom. The door was open, as were all the others, and all of the windows in order for the wind to make the summer heat more bearable for sleeping.
The moon cast enough light into her room for him to watch both raccoons tumble out the top of the crate and make a beeline for her bed. Using the bedding hanging over the edge, they quickly climbed onto the bed. He started forward, intent upon catching them before they woke her, but the coons were faster. They quickly scampered across the sheet and then snuggled up to her side.
“It’s about time you came up to bed.”
Steve froze.
“I’m talking to you, not the coons,” she whispered.
“I didn’t mean to wake you.”
“You didn’t.”
“I—I was sitting on the porch.”
“I know. I love sitting in t
he rocking chairs out there,” she said. “It’s so peaceful and relaxing.”
He nodded. Then realizing she probably couldn’t see that, said, “You could have joined me. It’s cooler out there.”
“I didn’t want to intrude. I did think about going down to the parlor and sleeping on the sofa, but this bed is too comfortable.”
“I’m glad you like it.” He was glad she enjoyed the rocking chairs on the front porch, too, and he wanted to tell her she wouldn’t have intruded. But she would have. Other nights he had invited her to sit outside with him, but tonight, he’d wanted time to think. The last two days, every time he looked at her, he remembered kissing her, and wanted to do it again. Wanted to do more than kiss her. Having her mention the bed didn’t help those thoughts at all. “Jackson Miller made all my furniture. Once I got the house built, I asked him to make whatever he figured I needed.”
“He did a fine job.” Shifting slightly, enough to look his way without disturbing the coons, she asked, “This wasn’t your parents’ house?”
“No. I didn’t build it until a few years ago. The cabin my father built is now the bunkhouse. I added on to it to make room for all the cowboys.”
“I bet you miss your parents, wish they could have seen all this. All you’ve accomplished.”
He leaned against the door frame. “Sometimes.”
“I miss my da, too. I know death is a part of life, and that we have to go on without those who are gone, but that doesn’t stop us from missing them.” She shifted again, just her head and sighed. “They’d be proud of you. Your parents. My father would never believe I was living in a house this fine.”
“Why? What was your house in Ohio like?”
“Four walls and a roof. Not much more. But we had real beds. Hadn’t had that in a long time.”
“Why?”
“I told you Da was a traveling man. The tonic business...well...it’s not always respected by lawmen. Hard to stay in one place too long. A person can get themselves caught up like that. We lived out of our wagon most of the time. Usually, come winter, he’d find a house to rent. One year it was a chicken coop.”
Mail-Order Brides of Oak Grove Page 9