by Sandy James
Drew tossed her a smile. “So I was correct? You weren’t made welcome?”
“I dare say I wasn’t,” she replied, keeping a wary eye on Gideon. While Drew seemed like a very open man who enjoyed witty banter, she feared Gideon was still angry that Caleb had married her the day she arrived.
Their marriage had enough obstacles. She hoped the hostility Gideon had shown could be set aside and they could start over. Only then would there be peace in the family.
“But I understand his concern,” Sara added. “Were I to find my brother wed so hurriedly, I’d caution him that those who marry in haste often repent in leisure.”
Gideon doffed his hat and ran his hand over his face. “I was just surprised. Okay? I didn’t expect him to really get a mail order bride. Thought that reverend was laughing all the way back to St. Louis with Caleb’s money burning a hole in his pocket. Thought Caleb had been fleeced like a sheep in summer.”
Sara winced, looking to her husband to see if he was going to correct the misassumption. She hated lying to Gideon and Drew. They’d surely discover the truth of that situation soon. The whole town would figure out she wasn’t the bride Caleb had expected on that stage. Wouldn’t the news be better learned from Caleb than through distorting gossip?
Caleb took her hand in his and squeezed. “I should tell him,” he whispered.
“I agree,” she replied.
“Tell me?” Gideon cocked his head. “Tell me what?”
“Sara didn’t come from the reverend.”
“Beg your pardon?” Drew said, furrowing his brow.
Gideon was less genteel. “What the hell does that mean?”
“The reverend didn’t send her,” Caleb replied. “Ty Bishop did.”
The surprised expression on Gideon’s face was entertaining. Sara watched him closely to memorize his features. Whenever she needed a smile, she could pluck that shocked image from her memory for it would surely amuse her as much in the future as it did at that moment.
Gideon shook his head. “B–but... I thought... I mean... Don’t you hate Ty Bishop?”
“Hate is a rather harsh word.” Drew’s gaze had settled on Sara, as though he were searching for the truth. “Ty Bishop, eh? You know I do believe I see the family resemblance. So tell us, sweet Sara... How did you come to find yourself at the altar with our Caleb?”
She let her gaze settle on Caleb, hoping he’d again take the lead. Instead, he quirked a dark eyebrow.
With an inward sigh of resignation, she told what she could. “Ty and I were separated at a very early age, as most of our siblings were. Our parents were quite poor, you see. Only a few years ago, our oldest sister went to great effort to hunt us down and allow us to get to know each other again. I was the hardest to find, but Ty eventually tracked me to Denver.” Where he found me working at The Palace and decided to save me from the life of a whore...
Drew grinned. “And so he tendered an invitation for you to come to our fair town? Correct?”
Sara nodded, not bothering to share Ty’s concern for her health and safety. He’d all but dragged her right out of the brothel, the only thing preventing that being the barrel of Crazy Kate’s shotgun aimed at his heart. But his desire to save her had sparked a yearning inside her to save herself. “I accepted his invitation.”
“Obviously,” Gideon drawled, drawing a sharp glare from Drew.
Caleb took over the telling. “Got a telegram a few days before she got here that the reverend had found me a bride, so I was waitin’ on the stage that day. Sara stepped off, and... well...” He shrugged and tensely rubbed the back of his neck.
She filled in the rest. “We had a series of rather amusing misunderstandings that found me thinking Ty had sent Caleb to me and Caleb believing I’d come to be his bride. So much went unsaid, causing us to reach the wrong conclusions.”
“And yet,” Drew said, “it led you to the right place for I dare say Caleb has never appeared quite so happy or content.” He reached for Sara’s hand, lifted it, and kissed the back of her knuckles, making her cheeks warm. “Kismet has brought you two together, sweet Sara. It was fate. There is no other explanation.”
Although she thought the statement a bit too romantic, she nodded. The truth was a bit more sordid, and she thought about her becoming Caleb’s wife as nothing more than a comedy of errors. If Drew wanted to call it “kismet,” she wouldn’t argue with him.
Even if she knew better.
“Thank you,” she murmured. Caleb’s eyes had grown stormy, and she didn’t think it was a good idea to incite his jealousy.
Jealousy? That thought hit her hard. Was her husband shooting daggers at Drew with his gaze because he didn’t like seeing another man touch her?
A passing thought drifted through her mind. If another woman had the temerity to touch Caleb, she’d be tempted to slap the hussy.
Marriage was turning out to be more complicated than Sara had ever anticipated. When she’d stood before the preacher, holding Caleb’s hands as she stated her vows, she’d imagined cooking, cleaning, and living with one man. Of course she’d be giving him free use of her body because she was, after all, his lawful wife. But even that wouldn’t be enough to steal away her contentment.
Instead, her husband had changed the rules. He worked every bit as hard on the farm and keeping the home as she did, claiming he loved being at her side regardless of the task. Although she’d made it plain he could indulge his masculine urges, he hadn’t touched her for his own pleasure. Whenever he reached for her, he had focused on giving her pleasure, something she was quickly learning to crave.
His selflessness had won her loyalty.
Caleb snatched her hand away from Drew, who still smiled as though he thoroughly enjoyed the possessive reaction. “We need to get inside and outta this cold.” He dragged her to the house.
“Wait,” Gideon said. “Please. I’d like a minute alone with Sara.”
Caleb pulled her closer, suspicious of his brother’s motives. Gideon had made it clear from the moment he’d met Sara that he didn’t approve of her. What could he possibly wish to say to her that he couldn’t say in front of him or Drew?
Out of habit, he looked to Drew. Although the relationship between Gideon and Drew was unconventional, Caleb had learned to be happy that they’d found each other. The townsfolk never talked openly about the men, choosing instead to accept them as a pair of confirmed bachelors who decided to share a home to keep away the loneliness.
Gideon had always been such a serious fellow, probably because so much responsibility had been thrust upon him when their parents had died. The older brother became the man of the family and did a good job of raising Caleb, and for that he was eternally grateful. But there was also concern that Gideon would never know the pleasant parts of life or the love of a good woman.
In Gideon’s case, what had saved him was the love of a good man.
Drew—Andrew Pearson—had stumbled into Gideon’s life when he’d arrived in Twin Springs with Cassandra Shay, now Cassandra Bishop. The attraction between the men had been plain from the moment they met, and Caleb had welcomed Drew as soon as he saw the way Gideon opened up his tender emotions to the man. Thanks to Drew, Gideon had cast aside some of the solemnness that had haunted him. He smiled. He laughed. He enjoyed life.
Drew shifted his gaze from Caleb to Gideon and then back to Caleb. Then he gave him a curt nod.
“Well, then...” Caleb brushed a kiss over Sara’s cheek. “I reckon Gideon can have his say.” He leveled a hard stare at his brother. “Mind your manners, and remember...she’s my wife by the laws of God and man. There ain’t nothing you can do to change that.”
“I don’t want to change that,” Gideon said, shifting nervously on his feet.
“Truly?” Caleb couldn’t help but be surprised. The last time he’d seen his brother, Gideon had been ranting and raving about the speed in which Caleb took Sara as his wife.
Why the change of heart?
Gideon nodded.
Drew nudged Caleb with his shoulder. “Come with me, Caleb. We shall let them have a moment to hash out their differences and clear the air.”
With a worried glance back to Sara, Caleb let Drew lead him into the house.
***
Sara flinched when the door closed. She didn’t want to be alone with Gideon. Not that she feared him, but her marriage was never going to be strong if her brother-in-law didn’t accept her in Caleb’s life.
The way Gideon stared at her now made her relax. There was something different about his gaze, something that was slowly helping her worry subside.
He leaned back against the small picket fence for the pen holding the two pigs Caleb was raising. Both of the pink piglets had been runts that he’d had to hand feed to keep alive. Since then, she’d taken over their care, naming them Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum after a wonderful poem she’d learned as a child. Only after she’d taken them to her heart as pets did Caleb inform her they were to be slaughtered for food. Her tears had swayed him, and now the pigs would be breeding stock rather than the salted pork they’d eat next winter.
Farm life wasn’t going to be easy on her heart.
“Come and talk to me, Sara,” Gideon said, beckoning with his gloved hand. “It’s cold, so I ain’t gonna be long. I just need to speak my mind.”
She went to the fence, turned, and leaned back against the rails. Afraid to reveal her concern, she said nothing. He would have to speak first so she could gauge whether this conversation was going to be confrontational. Her nature was to assume the worst, so she made sure her feet were firmly on the ground in case she needed to escape.
“I ain’t gonna bite you,” he grumbled.
“What did you wish to say to me?” she asked.
He heaved a sigh and then pushed off the fence to come around and face her. “I wanted to tell you I was sorry.”
“Sorry?”
“Yeah... It weren’t right to yell at you, ’specially on your wedding day. I was just...so...so...”
“Surprised?”
His nod was accompanied by a small grin. “Never once thought Caleb would get himself a wife. Figured he’d have a better chance of panning for gold and making a fortune.”
The need to defend Caleb swelled inside her, making her fear she’d lost the battle to keep him from reaching her heart. “He’s a good man, a handsome man. Any woman would be lucky to be his wife.”
“I like that,” Gideon said with a firm nod.
“Pardon?”
“I like that you ain’t gonna let nobody talk ill of him.”
The conversation wasn’t going anywhere close to the road she’d expected it to travel. “I only speak the truth.”
“There’s only one thing that bothers me,” he said, his eyes searching hers.
“Oh?”
“You’re holding some secrets inside you, Sara. I can see it all over your face.”
She simply shrugged. Of course she had secrets. What adult didn’t? Life was too difficult a journey to not have left behind a skeleton or two in the closets along the way.
“But I’m willin’ to give you the benefit of the doubt,” he added.
Sara knit her brows, not entirely sure if this was a reprieve or a warning. “I don’t understand.”
“I know all ’bout holding in secrets, Sara.”
Such a simple statement that bore a wealth of feeling. She decided to offer him something she so desperately wanted from him. “If you are referring to what you share with Mr. Pearson, then I hope you realize I hold no ill will in that regard.”
“Caleb told you ’bout Drew and me?” His tone bordered on panic.
She tried to ease his mind. “Yes, but please know that your secret is safe with me. I would never discuss family matters with outsiders. I will do my utmost to protect you from malicious gossip.”
“That’s mighty kind of you, ’specially after the way I acted.”
“You are forgiven, Gideon.”
“If you can swear to me that whatever secret you’re keepin’ ain’t gonna come sniffing ’round Caleb, I ain’t gonna hold it against you no more.”
Crazy Kate had accepted Sara’s leaving. The only true danger was Drake, the cowboy she’d robbed. No matter how angry he’d been when he awoke to discover she’d stolen the payroll, there was no way he could track her to White Pines. If all Gideon wanted was assurance that her past would remain in her past, she felt safe giving him that promise.
“I swear.”
He took her hands in his. “Welcome to the family, Sara Young.”
Chapter Ten
“That was a fine supper, Sara.” Caleb patted his rather full belly. “You sure took to cookin’ like a tadpole to water.”
Sara smiled back at him, making him smile in return.
She’d settled in nicely in his opinion. Farm life agreed with her, and despite the winter cold, she was thriving in Montana. Having her near not only eased the burden of caring for the animals, she was great company and filled what had been endless, empty hours talking about the stories she’d read. He’d already decided to buy her a book for Christmas. The problem was going to be finding a title she hadn’t already devoured.
His loneliness was a thing of the past. Sara was now the bright light in his life.
There was only one obstacle remaining to Caleb’s peace of mind. He still wanted Sara to not just accept him in her bed but want him there. He’d noticed subtle signs that he was drawing closer to his goal. From the softening in the way she spoke of their future and her plans for their home to the way she’d grown more affectionate, offering kisses and hugs for no real reason, gave him hope.
His wooing was going well, and he’d uncovered a passion inside her that he craved to share. But her desire couldn’t be forced. He’d have to keep up his tender assault on her senses, hoping that soon she’d reach for him for more than a peck on the lips or a quick embrace. He longed for her to ask him to make love to her. When that joyous event occurred, he’d be the most contented man in the territory.
“Can I offer you boys a shot of whiskey?” Caleb asked, pulling the curtain aside to check the weather. Being polite was a habit, but what he really wanted was for Gideon and Drew to go back home so he could set himself back to winning over his wife. “It might brace you for the cold ride home.”
Gideon shook his head. “We need to be leaving.”
Drew went to Sara, took her hand, and kissed her knuckles. “Thank you for the wonderful supper and the pleasant conversation, Sara. I enjoyed the evening, as did Gideon. We are blessed to have you in our family.”
Despite knowing Drew’s preferences and how much he loved Gideon, Caleb wanted to punch him in the nose.
Jealousy was new to him, and it appeared the emotion was controlling him more than he was controlling it. He was able to harness his anger when he noticed how quickly Sara withdrew her hand and came to stand at Caleb’s side.
“Thank you, Drew,” she replied. “I enjoyed the evening as well.”
Caleb tried not to read too much into the situation when she nudged his hand as if she wanted him to hold hers. He obliged her, giving her fingers a gentle squeeze.
“Bundle up,” he said. “Snow’s coming down mighty hard now. Ain’t gonna be a fun ride home.”
Gideon had already put on his heavy coat and was handing Drew’s to him. “Think we’re in for a storm?”
Caleb shrugged. “Skies are hard to read, but I ain’t thinkin’ blizzard. I’d say we’re in for more than a few inches.”
“How can you foretell the weather?” Sara asked, her beautiful blue eyes wide with curiosity.
He shrugged again while Gideon said, “Caleb’s got a knack for readin’ the winds and the clouds. Seems to always know when some foul storm’s on its way.”
“A wonderful ability,” she said. “I would imagine being able to predict difficult weather would come in quite handy.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Gideon said, tugging
on his knit cap. “Has sure been a blessing on occasion.”
Although Drew had already pulled on his gloves and was waiting at the door, Gideon strode over to Sara. Then he gathered her in his arms, gave her a bear hug, and turned her loose. “Thanks for supper, Sara. We’ll return the favor soon.”
Her gaze searched his before a hesitant smile curved her mouth. “You’re welcome, Gideon. I look forward to seeing your home.”
On that, Gideon and Drew ventured out into the cold, making Caleb hurry to the door to try to kick out the snow that had blown in despite the fact the door hadn’t been open long.
“Oh my,” Sara said. She grabbed the broom and swept up a pile of the thick snow. She glanced to Caleb. “Should I sweep this outside?”
He shook his head. “It’ll only blow right back in and bring more with it.” Crouching, he scooped the snow in his hands and started packing it into a ball. “S’pose we could bundle up, head outside, and have ourselves a fight. Ain’t dark with all the snow and the full moon.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“It’s a full moon right now and—”
“I was referring to your discussion of us quarreling.”
He grinned. “We wouldn’t argue, honey. I meant a snowball fight. Ain’t you never had a snowball fight?” He held up his fresh snowball.
She wrinkled her brow. “Are you telling me you would dare to hurl that at me?”
“Well, yeah... It’s fun, Sara. I wouldn’t hurt you none. I swear.”
“I fear I’m having a difficult time seeing how it would be amusing to toss a bundle of ice at anyone, let alone my husband.”
Had she been a man, he’d have thrown it at her right then and there just to show her how to start a rousing snowball fight, but he wasn’t entirely sure she’d appreciate his offbeat sense of humor. Instead, he bent down and tossed the melting snowball into the stove, listening to the hiss and watching steam rise.
The sudden cold on his neck made him snap up. His hand shot to the cold skin, finding some melted snow that he swept aside. “What the hell?”