Martha frowned. "I don't know what we're going to do. Hettie told me that Rachel is her priority. But it really all depends on finding someone suitable. I know that sounds callous, but that's the way it is," Martha stated.
"Hettie will come through," Ethan said. "I know she will."
"She hasn't let any of us down. Even if I haven't always agreed with the methods she employs, I can't deny she gets results," Martha said. "Tell me how Cassie is keeping," she said leaning close to Ethan.
He sighed. "She's having a difficult time. The baby is starting to make her feel tired, and she isn't sleeping too well."
Martha felt a knot of worry appear in her stomach. She couldn't bear it if Cassie was having a hard time. She wanted to go to her sister immediately and help in any way she could.
Ethan saw the worry on her face, and placed a hand on her arm. "Don't worry, Martha. Cassie is one strong woman. You and I know that. She'll be fine."
"She has to come over to the ranch when she feels up to it. We can have a little celebration. That'll raise her spirits," she suggested.
"That sounds mighty fine," Ethan agreed. "How are you fitting in here?" he asked.
"I'm doing fine. It's such a big change to get used to. It's going to take me time," she said. She suddenly wondered if she were only referring to the ranch or to something else. Was she talking about her new home or her new husband? She wasn't quite sure.
Ethan seemed reassured by Martha's show of confidence.
They talked a bit more about the farm, and how things were progressing, but Martha's was preoccupied by Rachel.
Martha stood up quickly. "Where has that girl gotten to," she asked impatiently. "I better go and find Rachel." she said, and made her way out to the yard.
Outside, the sun was bright, and it made Martha squint her eyes. When she had cleared her vision she felt alarm rise up to her throat.
Over by the corral she saw Rachel. However, she wasn't alone.
"What is Mr. Brook doing with our Rachel?" she blurted out.
Ethan came up to stand behind her. "Looks like they're having quite a little chat, if you ask me," he said.
Indeed they are, thought Martha. Rachel was standing by the corral with the parasol raised over head. She was twirling it around in a playful manner. Mr. Brook was leaning against the wooden fence, one booted foot casually propped up against it. He was smiling broadly, and paying the closest possible attention to Rachel. Martha heard the high pitch of Rachel's animated voice. The sound carried across the yard, and she felt her jaw tighten.
"This is not proper," Martha stated firmly.
"Maybe they're just getting acquainted," Ethan murmured.
"That's exactly the point Ethan. In a yard, next to a corral is not the place for my sister to get acquainted with anyone, let alone someone like Mr. Brook," Martha said, surprising herself with the vehemence of her tone.
Ethan gave Martha a startled look. "What do you want to do about it?" he asked.
"I want to put a stop to it right now," she said.
Martha started toward the young couple. As she was making her way across the dusty yard she heard the sound of horse's hooves on hard dirt. She turned and saw Logan pulling up his horse. He was looking at Brook, and the expression on his face was one that Martha had not seen before. It was a look of contained anger.
Logan leapt of his mount and began to stride toward Brook.
Martha was suddenly concerned about what Logan was going to do. She didn't know why he was so irate looking, but she felt she had to do something to avert what looked like a confrontation.
"Logan!" Martha called out.
He stopped and turned when he heard her voice. There was anger in his eyes, and Martha felt a jolt of deep concern. She wasn't sure what Logan intended, but it sure wasn't going to turn out well if she didn't do something fast.
Rachel and Brook stopped talking, and both turned to see Logan and Martha. Rachel looked pale all of a sudden. Martha hated that look on Rachel's face. She'd seen it often enough in the past few years, and she had grown to hate it.
"Logan you're back," Martha called out, spreading her arms wide.
Logan looked surprised at the welcoming tone of Martha's voice. He looked over at Brook and Rachel, and then back at Martha.
Martha ran to her husband and took him by the arms. "Isn't it wonderful. Ethan and Rachel brought over my things," she said.
Martha squeezed Logan's arms tightly and peered into his eyes, willing him to understand, and to calm himself. "Frankly I don't know where I'm going to put them all. I'll find somewhere," she said.
Logan had frozen on the spot, his breathing harsh and fast. The scent of the ranch was strong on him at this moment. Martha hooked an arm into his, leading him away from Brook and Rachel. "Ethan wants to ask you something. Don't you Ethan," Martha said to Ethan.
The surprise on Ethan's face was visible. Then he seemed to understand. "Oh. Yes Logan," he said hesitantly, looking off toward Rachel and Brook.
Martha delivered Logan to Ethan, and gently eased them both away. She heard Ethan strike up an improvised conversation about cows. Logan twisted his head around, and looked one last time at Brook. Martha headed over to the young couple.
"I'd be grateful if you would make yourself busy somewhere else Mr. Brook," she said. Brook's face was pale, and he shifted his eyes back and forth between Martha and Logan. "Rachel. You come with me please," Martha said, taking Rachel by the arm. Rachel stiffened in resistance. "But I don't want to. Mr. Brook and I were just having a nice little chat," she said insistently.
"Well that's fine. Maybe some other time you can continue that little chat. In the meantime I'd like to have a little word with you inside the house. I want you to give me an update on Cassie's condition."
At the mention of Cassie the expression on Rachel's face changed, and her resistance to going with Martha melted away.
Rachel looked at Mr. Brook. "If you'll excuse me," she said, fluttering her eyelids in a most unnecessary fashion, Martha thought. "I must speak with my sister. It's been a pleasure," Rachel said, extending an arm out. Mr. Brook went to take her hand and perhaps kiss it, but Martha was having none of that. She drew Rachel away in a hurry, leaving a frustrated Mr. Brook to watch them depart a disappointed written on his face.
Once she got Rachel inside the house, Martha gave her sister a firm dressing down about how inappropriate it had been to speak with Mr. Brook alone in the way that she had. There was a moment when it looked like an argument would start up, but common sense prevailed, and soon the two sisters were seated in the parlor talking about Cassie.
Eventually Rachel calmed herself, and gave Martha the details of how Cassie had really been keeping in recent days. Ethan obviously hadn't wanted to worry the two sisters unnecessarily. Rachel said that Cassie was indeed finding things hard. Martha asked Rachel to really give Cassie as much help as she could, and Rachel agreed. So sincere was her promise that Martha's concerns were considerably lessened.
After a while Ethan and Logan came into the parlor. Ethan told Rachel that it was time to head back to the farm. Logan thanked them both for bringing Martha's things, and invited them back for a lunch sometime. Ethan graciously accepted. They all said their goodbyes, and pretty soon the buckboard was rolling away toward the town.
Martha and Logan stood side by side on the porch watching the buckboard leave the ranch. "That was a close call between you and Brook," she said.
Logan shook his head. "It wasn't what you're thinking."
"What do you mean? I assumed you didn't want him talking to Rachel."
"It wasn't just that. Of course I don't like the attention he's been giving her. Rachel deserves better than Brook," Logan said with a bitter edge to his words.
They started to make their way across the yard.
"I thought Brook was one of your best men," Martha said.
Logan's brows furrowed. "I thought he was too. Let's say I've changed my mind."
"Why?
What's changed your mind?"
Logan shook his head. "I don't want to go into it now." He sighed and looked up at the blue sky. "How would you like to come with me to see the herd up close," Logan asked her.
Martha looked at him questioningly. 'Really? You want me to do that?"
"Sure. You're a rancher's wife. It's only natural that you see what it's all about. It'll be good for you to see the whole picture," he answered.
Logan had called her a rancher's wife again, she thought. Would she ever get used to the sound of that? She wasn't sure. Never in a million years would she have believed that she would be a rancher's wife. Logan was right. If she was to understand him, and to fully comprehend the new life she had embarked on, she felt should see as much of the details of ranch life as possible. That meant getting her hands dirty, and getting up close to the animals.
They went to the corral. Logan started to get his horse ready. Martha watched him admiring the ease with which he prepared the horse. Logan seemed so comfortable with so many aspects of this new way of life. She suddenly had a thought.
"Why don't I take a horse of my own?" she asked him.
Logan turned and gave her a look. "You know that I don't want you to do that," he said.
"But I have to get used to riding," Martha objected softly. "I can't just rely on you to take me places."
Logan lifted an eyebrow. "You can always rely on me to take you places, Martha," he said with a smile.
She tried not to laugh and rolled her eyes. "You know what I mean. I need to be able to get around on my own."
Logan came to her and put his hands on her shoulders. "I promise you that I'll get you the best horse around these parts. Just for now, I want you by my side." He stroked her cheek with the back of his fingers. "I love the feel of you sitting with me in the saddle. I want that feeling today."
Martha felt the color rise to her cheeks. "I understand Logan," she said with a slight smile. "You just make sure you get me that darned horse soon though," she said teasing him.
Logan smiled. "I promise. It'll be the finest in Wyoming."
He led the horse out to the yard. "You can sit astride. I'll lift you up," he said, extending his arms toward her.
When he lifted her up onto the horse she hitched her skirt so that she could sit astride the saddle. It felt strange to sit like that, and it took Martha a few moments to steady herself. Logan got up and sat in front of her. The horse shifted beneath them. Martha wrapped her arms around Logan as she had done before. Logan tugged on the reins, and they headed out of the yard and down toward the valley where the herd lay.
Martha loved the sensation of holding onto Logan. She leaned up against him for a while, saying nothing, just watching the beauty of the landscape around them. It never ceased to amaze her what an inspiring landscape this part of Wyoming was. Every day there was something that refreshed her soul and gave her eyes delight. It was wonderful to sit with her arms enclosing Logan's broad chest, and feel the slow movement of the horse under them.
The only thing which added a note of caution were some small, dark rainclouds in the far distance. But she reassured herself that they were a long way off.
They came down into the valley, and she could hear the low moan of the cattle mingled with the shouts of the ranch hands, as they went about their business.
Logan pulled the horse up to a halt. Martha sat up straight and took in the view of the huge herd. It was an awe inspiring sight. The massive group of animals grazed or wandered idly, while the mounted ranch hands mingled amongst them, keeping the herd tight.
Logan spent some time explaining how the herd was looked after; the kinds of problems it created for him and the men; what his plans were for the herd which, of course, involved how valuable it was. The details of the welfare of the animals particularly fascinated Martha. Logan obviously felt a great duty of care to the herd, and she admired the sensitivity with which he talked about how important it was to keep the animals healthy. He also talked about the dangers of a stampede, and what they could do to control it. Martha couldn't imagine what it was like when a herd stampeded. She found herself secretly hoping that Logan would keep well away if that happened.
Logan was starting to talk about the threat of rustlers stealing the cattle when Martha was startled by a sudden flash of light and the deep rumble of thunder. She had been so absorbed in listening to Logan that she hadn't seen the gathering clouds which had made their way to them from the east.
Logan stopped talking and threw his head back, gazing up at the sky.
There was another earth vibrating rumble and Martha heard the hiss of falling rain. Drops spattered her head, and she saw that, further off, the rain was falling like a shimmering curtain. It was clearly headed their way.
"The rain looks heavy," Logan said. "We best take cover. Hang on," he said, and started the horse moving. Martha had to hold on tight to Logan as the horse raced across the flat plain. Up ahead she saw a small wooden cabin. The rain was starting to fall heavily, and she could tell that if they didn't get inside the cabin soon they were both going to end up soaked.
Quicker than she anticipated, Logan drew up outside the cabin, tied up the horse and helped Martha down. They both made their way quickly inside and Logan shut the door firmly behind them. Martha could hear the roar of the rain against the roof.
The cabin was plain and functional. There was a table and chairs, a fireplace and a couple of small beds. It was clearly designed as a place for the ranch hands to use when they needed breaks. The smell of damp wood filled her nostrils.
Logan went to the fireplace, and soon had a warming fire going. Martha took a seat at the table, wrapping her arms around herself. Logan had managed to get them to the cabin so quickly that Martha hadn't gotten too wet from the rain.
She watched Logan, enjoying how he squatted in front of the fireplace, and the way that he gave the encouragement of the flames his full attention.
Once he was satisfied with the fire, Logan joined her at the table. "Are you warm enough?" he said with concern on his face.
Martha smiled and nodded. "I'm fine. That rain sure is heavy."
"It happens out here. At least we had this place close by," he said. He leaned toward her, appearing to be deep in thought for a moment. His eyes gazed at her, and she suddenly had a strong sense of their isolation in the cabin.
"How long will it last?" she asked.
Logan seemed momentarily confused by her question. "How long will what last?"
Martha couldn't imagine what he had thought she meant. "The rain."
Logan's gaze broke and he seemed to understand what she had referred to. "It'll pass quick enough," he said.
"What about the ranch hands?"
"They're paid to be out in it," he said calmly.
Logan reached over and took her hand. "You're cold," he said with concern.
Logan stood and pulled Martha to her feet. He moved the table and chairs closer to the fire and sat Martha down. The fire was growing, and Martha warmed her hands in front of it.
Logan put his seat right next to hers. He looked as if he wanted to say something, and Martha wasn't sure she wanted to hear it.
"Martha about last night..." Logan started to say.
"Please, Logan let's forget what was said last night," she pleaded.
"But I can't. I don't want you thinking that I'm trying to hide some terrible secret from you," he said.
Martha turned and looked at the flames. "That's the way it sounded Logan. There's something you've been keeping from me since we married."
"I don't want anything to come between us, Martha."
"Then why can't you tell me?"
Logan removed his hand from Martha's. He wiped some of the rain from his forehead. His lips tightened and his eyes peered into the flames. There was a distance in his eyes which Martha was beginning to recognize.
"I made a promise," Logan said eventually.
Martha frowned. "To whom?"
Lo
gan breathed out slowly. "You have to know what it means to me when I make a promise," Logan murmured. "If I give my word to someone, then I keep it."
"Who did you give your word to?" Martha asked.
Logan's eyelids dropped slowly and his breathing softened.
Martha reached out to him. "You must tell me, Logan. What is it?"
Logan stood and extended his hands out toward the flames. Martha waited for him to speak. Finally, he was going to tell her the thing which had stood between them these past days; the thing which prevented the complete restoration of trust between them. Once it had been cleared up, then maybe they could move forward with every aspect of their life. Martha thought of the solitary nights in the marital bedroom. Those nights would be a thing of the past.
When Logan spoke, his voice was quiet and soft, almost drowned out by the hammering of the rain on the roof.
"Ask Cassie," he said.
The words made Martha freeze.
"What?"
"Ask your sister. She knows."
"If you know, why can't you tell me?"
Logan went quiet for a moment. "Ask Cassie," he said again, with a tone of finality that told Martha there would be nothing more said about it.
Time seemed to slow inside the cabin. Martha and Logan stared at the fire, saying nothing to each other for a very long time. Eventually the rain stopped, they went out, got on the horse and headed back to the ranch.
Martha knew now that only one person could give her the answer she needed.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
That afternoon Martha took a buckboard and headed over to the Macleod farm. She had to get an answer from Cassie. The strange thing was, she didn't even know what it was she had to ask her sister. However, she was sure that Cassie would understand if Martha described Logan's odd reluctance to talk about the circumstances of how he'd ended their relationship, all those years ago.
Martha arrived at the farm. She saw Ethan and Rachel out in the field. Cassie came out, wiping her hands on a cloth. She seemed genuinely glad to see Martha.
The two sisters went into the kitchen, and Cassie prepared a cooling drink. They took the drinks out and sat on the long seat out on the porch. It was nice to sit with Cassie again, just like she had done so many times in the past few months. Martha was reassured to see that Cassie seemed to be well after all. Then again, her sister would never want to worry anyone and would be more likely to keep any discomfort to herself.
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