The Rancher’s Bride (Mail-Order Bride Book 3)

by Stella Clark

  Silence. He hadn’t actually hidden from her before, and she wondered if this was something new to test her. Hollie tried to treat it as a game for a few minutes but it wasn’t fun or funny. After checking out in the barn and around the garden, he was still nowhere to be found.

  Pushing her braid back over her shoulder, she turned in a circle as if he might appear. Hollie tried to ignore how the beating of her heart sped up, and she swallowed hard as an ill feeling crept over her.

  “Paul!” she shouted, rubbing her hands together. “Please, just let me know you’re safe! Where are you? Paul!” She rushed back inside and found Jenny still eating. “Darling, where’s Paul? Do you know where he is?”

  “He said he was doing chores,” Jenny nodded. “He was mean.”

  Offering her a sweet smile, Hollie shook her head. “I’m sure he didn’t mean to be. He loves you, remember? But unfortunately, I cannot find him. Does Paul like to hide anywhere? Or—or run off to some place away from the house?”

  The little girl made a face. “I don’t know. He doesn’t tell me. Paul is silly.”

  “That’s true.” Hollie felt the strain as she tried to hold back the panic. Rubbing her hands, she decided she couldn’t just wait around here. He wasn’t in the house, and he wasn’t in the barn. That meant he could be anywhere.

  What if something happened? He was just a little boy. The thought of some bear or mountain lion …

  She clapped her hands and quickly brushed back a tear. “We’re going on a trip! You like Mrs. Reed, don’t you? Let’s go say hello to her, shall we? Up and up. Just leave your pie, darling, we’ll return to it soon enough. Off we go.”

  Hastily, she gathered up the girl. Martha Reed was a sweet woman who had cared for Paul and Jenny in the past, and Hollie had met her several times since. If they had more time, she thought, they could become rather good friends. Fortunately, they didn’t live too far off, still on Anton’s property and just yards away from the bunkhouse for the rest of the working cowboys.

  “Oh, thank goodness,” Hollie cried out when the door opened to reveal Mrs. Reed. Panting, she nudged Jenny into the house. “You are here. Please, Mrs. Reed, can you see to Jenny? I have to—I can’t find Paul, I think something happened, and I need to go find him. Watch her, will you?”

  The woman hardly had time to blink. “What? Gracious, child, did you run here? I’m sure Paul is around here somewhere.”

  Hollie’s eyes widened. “Have you seen him?”

  “N—no, but he can’t be too far. He’s just a boy, after all.”

  The flicker of hope faded and she shook her head. “I know, I know. He’s just a boy, and he’s out there somewhere. I can’t …” She covered her mouth. “I won’t lose him. I’m going to look for him now.”

  Mrs. Reed nodded at last. “Find him, then. But on your way, stop by the bunker. One or two of the boys are resting up and can go find Anton for you.”

  She hadn’t even considered that. Tears sprang to her eyes at the thought of her family suffering. Anton would know she couldn’t keep track of his son, that he’d run off probably because of her. Struggling to maintain her composure, Hollie thanked Mrs. Reed and hurried off.

  On her way, she notified the cowboys as Martha had suggested, asking that they find Anton and let him know what had happened. They reminded her they had no way of knowing where he was, but she wouldn’t take no for an answer. It took more time than she would have liked, however, knowing every minute counted.

  Finally, one cowboy headed out. Only when that was taken care of did Hollie start off. The fear wasn’t going to solve anything, she told herself, so she had to do whatever she could. She didn’t know where to go or where to even start, but she wasn’t going to let that stop her. Determined to find Paul, Hollie marched into the plains and started her search.

  Chapter Eleven

  Anton whistled and pointed to the sun. Colors streamed through the sky like wings, and he was amazed at this beautiful place. He thanked the Lord again for His goodness. Then he glanced down to see his son looking up as well.

  “It’s nice,” Paul ventured a moment later, not knowing what else to say.

  “It’s God’s work,” he reminded the boy. “We’re very fortunate to have what we have. I bet Hollie would like this view. What do you think? Does she like watching the sun?”

  Just like that, the boy closed down. His brow furrowed, and the half smile he’d been wearing since he came upon Anton and Peter Reed a mile back on the old mountain lane left his face. Having not wanted to broach the topic before, nothing had been said. But it’d been a few months now, and Anton couldn’t keep putting this off.

  “You don’t like her, do you?”

  Paul glanced up at him. “I don’t know,” he said finally.

  Anton sighed and turned the reins of his horse over to the boy to hold onto as they walked. It would give the boy something to fidget with while Anton ran his hands over his horse’s mane. “Paul, Hollie is here to stay. I need you to understand that once and for all. Hollie is our family now.”

  “But I already had a mother,” Paul protested.

  “And you need another,” Anton responded in a sharp enough tone that the boy didn’t talk back. He didn’t enjoy being stern, but clearly he’d put this off too long. “You’re a growing boy, Paul, you’re almost a man. And what about Jenny? Don’t you think she needs a mother?”

  He didn’t respond. Trudging through the grass, Paul sighed as the house came into view. Anton continued. “You both do. And I need a wife. Life out here, it’s different. You need everyone you can get. Julie …” His throat constricted, and he tried to get the words out. “She’s still with us. You heard Pastor Williams. And she would want us to be happy. Don’t you think so?”

  “I don’t know,” Paul groaned. “Maybe. I guess so.”

  “Were you happy with my cooking?” Anton pointed out, and his son made a face. “That’s what I thought. From now on, I need you to be making nice. She needs help, too, remember. Hollie’s not from around here. She needs us as much as we need her.”

  Paul shrugged as they reached the barn. “She seems fine to me. Even when I …” he trailed off with a cough. It was an odd place to stop, and Anton opened his mouth to respond when he heard the familiar sound of the banging door.

  “Papa!” Jenny raced over to them. At first she looked eager to see them but when she drew up, Anton saw the tears stained on her pink cheeks. “Papa! I want Mama. Where’s Mama?”

  “Into my arms, dear.” He swung her around but that didn’t help. Wiping away a tear, Anton glanced at the house and then at Paul. “Put him away, will you?” He gestured and turned to Jenny. “Mama, hm? Isn’t she inside?”

  His girl shook her head, much to his confusion. “No. That’s Missus Reed. She’s here. And everyone wants my toys. I want my toy.” Sniffling, she laid her chin down on his shoulder. “I want Mama.”

  He heard the tears start up again but he was busy trying to understand what she said. Mrs. Reed? He hurried inside, tightly holding Jenny in his arms. Usually, he could find Hollie in the kitchen but the table wasn’t set and Jenny was right. Mrs. Martha Reed was near the fireplace with her brood of children.

  It was a familiar enough sight, but not what Anton had expected. He pulled up short as she noticed him and hastened over. A strange and cold sensation draped over his body at the expression she wore, for something was definitely wrong.

  “Why are you here?” Anton shook his head. “Where’s Hollie?”

  “Mr. Delaney, why, she’s somewhere out there.” She pulled Jenny into her arms. Mrs. Reed hesitated with a dark look. “Paul disappeared, I’m afraid. She sent your men out to come find you …”

  That made no sense. “Paul?” Anton glanced towards the back door.

  Chapter Twelve

  “Of course.” Hollie rubbed her hands together as she paused to catch her breath. “Of course this is the time I forget to bring my coat.” She was always good at telling everyon
e else to bring their coat to stay warm, but she’d been too much in a rush this time to follow her own advice.

  It was getting cold with the setting sun. As beautiful as the colors were in the sky, she was having a difficult time enjoying them. Already, she’d come across three trails that had faded into nothing, a pond, and a few pastures.

  Soon, it’ll be dark and what if I can’t find Paul? But another terrifying thought struck her.

  “I’m lost,” she whispered and shivered as a sharp wind blew by.

  Blinking rapidly, the young woman turned in a circle and decided to retrace her steps, thinking she might have missed a sign of Paul’s passing. However, Green Peak was filled with trees and pastures and more trees. In the distance, even all the mountains looked alike.

  She shuddered. “Oh dear.” Rubbing her cold cheeks, Hollie looked again and again. Confused at the sight of even more trees, she tried to think.

  There was no telling where exactly she was or where she had come from. How would she get back to the house? Wrapping her arms around herself, Hollie wished for the cozy warmth of a fire. That sounded terribly lovely. Perhaps she should go back; perhaps this had all been for naught.

  Immediately she pulled up short and knelt, clasping her hands. “Oh Lord,” she gasped. “Forgive me, please. I didn’t mean that, I promise on my soul. Lord in heaven, I want to find Paul more than anything in the world right now. Forget what I thought, forget that, please. I just need to find him. Please, guide me to him, Lord. Amen.”

  She stumbled back onto her feet, away from the frozen ground. How could it be so cold in summer? True that it was nearly harvest time, but they hadn’t had the heat she had experienced for the first eighteen years of her life. Swallowing her dry throat, she wished she’d had more water to drink that day. She wished Paul hadn’t run off. She wished for a lot of things.

  Hollie shook her head. No, she needed to concentrate. The light was fading fast and already, she had to squint to see through the trees. But there was a hill up ahead, and she wondered if she might be able to see better from up there.

  “Paul?” she called, licking her chapped lips. “Paul! Where are you?”

  And yet there was no reply. She rubbed away a tear of frustration. All she wanted was to find the boy. To have a family. Why had he run off? Was she that terrible? Sniffling, she squinted and searched for movement.

  What if she couldn’t find Paul? What would Anton do? Send her back to Boston?

  He was distant, but kind. The man had never raised his voice like she knew some wives endured. Though several years her senior, he was still as strong as an ox, strong and quiet, and she didn’t always understand him.

  But she appreciated him, Hollie reminded herself, and respected him. Not just for bringing her here and all that he had done for her. But for the life he had created for his family. And for others. He took care of animals and the land. They’d feasted with some of his cowboys in the past, and they had clearly admired him. Anton Delaney was an impressive man.

  And he’d raised two wonderful, albeit stubborn, children.

  How could she not love him? How could she not love any of them? The

  Lord didn’t let small things like age differences or stubborn behavior stop Him from loving everyone. So she would do the same.

  Yet she was still lost, cold, and parched. And she hadn’t even found Paul. For a minute, she just stood there, trying to think of a new course of action. Where was Paul? Where would he go? As she thought, she heard something nearby.

  It was the river! Yes, the sound of rushing water. It was the only river on this side of the mountain, the one that Anton had named the ranch for. Wild Creek. A familiar one, one that everyone knew about. Including Paul.

  Only as she moved forward to find the river did she step on something she couldn’t see in the dark. As she screamed, the wolves howled.

  Chapter Thirteen

  “Yes,” Mrs. Reed explained again. “Mrs. Delaney couldn’t find Paul. She dropped Jenny off and then just took off towards the hills to look for him.”

  But why would she think Paul was missing? Anton’s brow furrowed. “But he’s with me. He was. He’s in the barn. And are you talking about the Taylor boys looking for me? But they have the day off.”

  Mrs. Reed gave him an impatient look. “I’m telling you what I know. Do I need to tell you again? Your Mrs. Delaney came to my house, frantic that she couldn’t find little Paul. She told your men, and she took off to go find him. And now we’re here.”

  Anton stood there, waiting for the pieces to come together. Something wasn’t right. His heart skipped a nervous beat, and he felt a cold sweat break out. “Stay here,” he turned back for the door. “I’ll go find her.”

  He ran towards the barn, not bothering to pick up his hat when it slipped off his head. “Stop!” he called to Paul, and grabbed the horse. He’d had an easy day of it and could manage one more ride. Huffing, he glanced at the confused Paul as he put the bridle back. “Did—what did you tell your mother when you came to see me?”

  “What?” Paul frowned, but Anton saw the hesitation as he swung into the saddle. “Well, I … I didn’t tell her. I didn’t think …”

  Anton gritted his teeth. “Well, she left to look for you and now we don’t know where she is. For all we know, she’s been attacked by a wild bear.”

  “I didn’t know. She doesn’t care …”

  He gripped the reins tight and growled. “How can you not see? She’s from the city, boy. She hasn’t … I’m not wasting my time on you. Not now. It’s almost dark, and she’s got to be scared. You get inside right now, Paul, and you stay there.”

  The boy turned pale at the harsh tone. Looking away, Paul knew he couldn’t live with the shame. So he shook his head and looked up. “Let me come. I can help. See?” And he ran over to their other horse, grabbing a blanket and saddle, trying to prove something.

  Impatiently, Anton brought his horse towards the barn doors. “Paul, it’s not a good idea. You’ve done enough—” but he stopped there upon seeing his son’s sober expression as he desperately hurried. The animal flinched at the sudden movements and he sighed, knowing he shouldn’t have been so forceful. “Don’t scare him. Hurry up, then.”

  It only took another minute until Paul was in his own saddle. If he would have had time to consider it, Anton would have been impressed by his son. But they didn’t have time for that now, not with the sun fading so quickly behind them.

  He swore under his breath, hoping Paul wouldn’t hear it, and said a quick prayer. “Lord, I’ll do whatever it takes. Just lead me to Hollie. Please. For the kids, for—for me,” he found himself adding. Swallowing the forming lump in his throat, he shook his head and glanced northwest.

  The river came to mind. She’d follow the river, wouldn’t she? “Follow me,” he ordered his son. “We’re not going to gallop because it’ll tire the horses out too quickly. But we’re keeping a quick pace. I need you to stay close, you hear? If you lose me, you stay exactly where you are. If anything comes for you, you turn tail and the horse will know what to do. Do you understand?”

  “Yes, yes.” Paul nodded. “I already knew, Pa. Now let’s find her already.”

  Anton swallowed and turned back. It was a beautiful place, indeed. But at night, anything could happen. The threat clung to his heart tightly, and he struggled for breath as they trotted quickly for the river.

  He’d taken her here on their first Sunday, he remembered. There had been no church sermon to enjoy, but with the children playing in the garden, Anton had brought Hollie here because he’d always thought it to be a spiritual place.

  She was an agreeable girl, with the sweetest smile. The more he thought about her, about even losing her, the more Anton realized how much he cared for her. How he always wanted to hold her hand when she grew nervous, how he kept bringing her new flowers just to see her face light up. He liked how she tried to impress him with new recipes and games for the children.

  Eve
n in their letters, he had liked the way she wrote so prettily. “I’m well experienced with children,” she’d told him in her first letter, “and I’m looking for a husband myself. The world is a beautiful place and that’s what I would teach your darling son and daughter if I joined you out West.”

  And she was doing that. The impression she’d made on shy little Jenny had helped transform the girl. She’d only had two bad dreams since Hollie’s arrival and had finally stopped sucking her thumb. The house smelled better, it was tidier, and there were all those little touches that she made for everyone. She gave them all her energy and love, Anton realized.

  What of them? Jenny loved readily in return. Paul was having problems with her; something Hollie had said wasn’t a concern. And what about him? He searched his feelings, trying to push back the rising fear. It wasn’t that he couldn’t lose her, Anton realized as they reached the hills. It was that he couldn’t lose her without letting her know that he really did love her.

  Pastor Williams had talked about charity and love; that it was through actions people showed their feelings. Julie had taught him how to do that, and it was time to do the same for Hollie. It’s what Julie would have wanted. And if he had the chance, Anton vowed, he’d do a better job of showing how much he cared.

  They just needed to find her.

  Chapter Fourteen

  “Paul? Paul!”

  Anton pulled up short, holding a hand up for his son. “Did you hear that?” His brow furrowed as he searched the darkness.

  The wolves howled again, closer now. Paul nudged his horse closer beside Anton. But Anton was certain he’d heard something a minute ago. He waited with bated breath, praying to the Lord for His guidance.

  “Paul!”

  A groan of relief escaped Anton’s lips. That was Hollie. “Straight ahead,” he gestured to Paul. “But move slowly. We don’t want to miss her.” Then he raised his voice. “Hollie? Hollie, where are you?”