The outcasts bride, p.3
The Outcast's Bride, page 3
“Thank you, but I’m fine.”
He glanced inside. “You don’t have a fire. It can get pretty chilly in these hills at night.” He stepped past her, moving toward the small stove. “I can take care of that in a matter of minutes.”
He knelt and shoved a couple of logs and a few sticks of kindling inside the stove’s belly. Within seconds, the fire blazed. A look of self-satisfaction filled Freddy’s features as he dusted the wood residue off his hands and onto his trousers. “You should stay toasty most of the night, and if you get cold, add another log. Wood is stacked on the cabin’s north end. Just watch out for fangs.”
“Fangs?”
“Snakes.”
Her brows jumped.
“And rats,” he added in amusement, as if snakes were not enough.
She cringed. “Snakes and rats. What? No spiders?”
“Those, too, but usually in late spring and summer—especially after a good rain.” Freddy stopped at the door. “This ain’t Little Rock. This is a town growing faster than garden weeds. As long as new construction is going on, the snakes and rats are looking for a new home. Guess you could say they’re running for the hills and knocking on our doors.”
“Thank you,” Susannah said, her hand on her stomach to soothe the growing discomfort. “I’ll sleep much better now.”
He chuckled, giving her one last smile. “Glad you’re here. I like you.” He headed out the door. “And remember, my name’s Freddy, if you need anything.”
Susannah appreciated Freddy’s kindness. She hoped he was naturally helpful and not showing signs of a schoolboy crush. She waved as he disappeared around the corner, a little too giddy for someone simply helping out.
As she turned to go back inside, a shadow moved along the tree line on the other side of the stream. Susannah peered into the dense tangle of tree trunks. She glanced back at the path, wishing she could still see Freddy. Wishing she could see anyone. Her heart beat faster.
Were her eyes playing tricks on her? Maybe she’d caught a glimpse of a wild animal or a bird in mid-flight? It was dark after all. She squinted, staring hard into the trees. Nothing moved. There’s nothing to worry about. It’s only your imagination. The sudden chill shooting down her spine declared otherwise.
Egan?
The eerie sound of a whistle taunted her ears. The blood in her veins turned to ice.
She listened again, frozen on the threshold. It had to be the wind sifting through the trees. It couldn’t be Egan. He didn’t know where she’d gone.
She shoved the door closed, pulled the latch down, and leaned against the hard wood. Her heart pummeled and her fingers trembled. What had seemed peaceful moments ago now felt like a cage. A trap.
Tears burned her eyes. Had Egan followed her? Lord, no, please! Don’t let it be so!
You are my Rock. My Refuge. My Tower of Strength. I will not fear.
I will not fear.
I will not—ever again—fear.
Her breathing finally slowed and her heartbeat calmed.
It was her imagination. It had to be. She’d left Egan in another city without a hint of where she’d gone. She was safe.
Her head rolled back onto the wooden door. Why didn’t she feel that way?
5
Fresh-churned butter, creamy milk, and sifted flour. Susannah’s confidence soared; this was her element. She moved about the kitchen with ease. Pots and utensils clanged and the pantry opened and closed—all music to her ears.
The kitchen stood detached from the dining hall. It had been the same at the orphanage. It was a way to prevent the spread of fire in case of an accident, but the design came with its own challenges. Susannah wasn’t worried. She’d served larger groups before and knew what it took to keep things moving and in order.
“Do you want me to ring the breakfast bell?” Freddy asked. He’d arrived just in time, along with a few helpers, to move steaming platters and pans to the dining room serving tables.
“Yes,” she said with an eager spirit. “It’s ready.”
The boys swarmed the dining room at the breakfast call—coming from the gardens, pastures, and barns in mere minutes.
After listening to several accolades, she felt satisfied and scurried into the kitchen to begin the clean-up process.
An hour later the back door opened.
Susannah had just draped her apron across a hook on the cabinet.
Billie walked in with an elderly couple at her side. She’d not seen them before, though she could see a family resemblance in the woman’s hair color and features. Their smiling faces eased away any momentary concern.
“Susannah, now that you’ve met Luke’s father, I’d like to introduce you to my parents,” Billie said. “They moved to the ranch a couple of years ago. They’re a big help with Lillith while I’m schooling the boys.”
Susannah smiled in greeting, holding out her hand and accepting a quick handshake from them both. She could tell from the frailty of their grasp and the smoothness of their palms that their labor was light.
The older man tapped his ear. “We don’t eat here because the noise is too much for these old ears, but you’re welcome to visit our home any time.”
“We’re down the path a ways from your cabin,” the woman said with a smile. “Past the trees, and past Kwi’s place. You can’t miss us.”
“Thank you, I appreciate—”
Loud, angry voices came from outside.
Billie’s jaw grew taut. “What on earth—?”
The door to the kitchen burst open and a large, muscled man stepped inside. He held one youth by the collar and another boy by his belt loop. He looked about twice their weight and none too happy, as if he’d caught a couple of coyotes by the tail and didn’t know what to do with them.
“We ain’t staying!” One red-faced youth shouted, trying without success to twist from the man’s grasp.
“You don’t get to decide, now do you?” The man wore a badge and a grave expression. His hat lay loose on his head, covering a thick mop of gray-blond hair. Dots of sweat clung to his forehead, glistening against pale skin. There was something vaguely familiar about—
Susannah took a second look. Her chin dropped. The thieves!
“Let my brother go,” the boy yelled, looking as though he might kick the man any second.
Susannah held her tongue, watching for any sign of recognition in the boy’s faces.
“Your momma should’ve named you Malice and Mayhem,” the man said. “Those would’ve been far better names than Mickey and Marty.”
“Sheriff Wade, why are these young men here?” Billie folded her arms across her ribs, completely composed. “We’ve had this conversation before. We’re not a jailhouse. The boys who come here do so voluntarily and with an understanding that rules will be followed.”
“Who’d volunteer to come here?” Marty asked, his chin thrust outward.
“Yeah! You ain’t foolin’ us anyways…” Mickey challenged with an arrogant smirk. “It wouldn’t matter what we said or did. We know our type ain’t welcomed here.”
“How dare you say such a thing!” All eyes turned toward Billie’s mother as she took several steps toward the young men. She pointed a scolding finger at one then the other. “This ranch is a place of grace and compassion. It’s a home for those in need, and—”
The twins looked at one another as if they wanted to cuss. Instead, they busted out laughing.
Billie’s eyes narrowed.
Susannah held her breath. Oh, dear. This cannot be good.
“Don’t you treat my wife any such a way, you ill-mannered billy goats,” Billie’s father yelled.
Susannah took a step back. Any second and she expected fists to fly.
“I’m gonna clobber you both upside your head,” the sheriff threatened with a shake of his heavy jowls. “Show more respect, or you’ll get what’s coming to you.”
“Please!” Billie held her palms upward. “Everyone stop.” She looked at Mickey and Marty with an unflinching stare. Her voice took on a tender tone. “My mother is right. This ranch is a place of grace and compassion. But as God’s grace is not forced upon us, neither is anyone forced to stay here. Including you. You’re free to go.”
“Good riddance,” Marty spat.
Mickey looked up at the sheriff. “You heard the boss lady. Get us outta here.”
The sheriff’s broad shoulders rolled forward in a heavy sigh. He released his hold. “All right. It’s off to jail for you two and then to the prison camps.” He turned as if to walk away. When the boys didn’t follow, he waved his hand. “Come on with your ornery selves. You’ve got some hard time to do.”
“Prison camp?” Billie’s father repeated. His temper had calmed, and his tone lowered. “Where they make you carry heavy rocks and chop wood all day? Where they don’t care if you get frostbite or heatstroke or snake bit as long as you keep working?”
“Among other things,” the sheriff said, looking at Billie.
“What’d they do that was so bad?” Billie’s mom asked. “Commit murder?”
“These two boys done robbed the wrong person,” Sheriff Wade said. “They stole from a state senator, and now they’re prison bound. The judge thought they might prefer to come here, but—” He sighed again, shaking his head in regret. “Guess they have other ideas.”
“We prefer to keep living like we’re living,” Marty said, though something had shifted in his demeanor.
“Yeah,” Mickey agreed. “We didn’t mean any harm…”
“Sheriff…please…” Billie’s mom spoke up again, turning toward her daughter with her fingers clasped. “Let them stay. I know what they’ve done isn’t right, but prison camp? They don’t deserve to die.”
“Scrawny boys like these two won’t last but a couple of weeks,” Billie’s father added, shaking his head as if already grieving their demise.
Susannah was too new to have an opinion, but at the moment, she prayed Mickey and Marty would get another chance. She wasn’t happy that they’d tried to rob her, but neither did she want them dead. From the look on Billie’s face, she didn’t think a second chance would happen without the power of God moving over her heart.
The boys shot quick glances at one another without speaking. Their expressions had dissolved from arrogance to anxiousness.
“We’re not prepared to handle troublemakers,” Billie said to her mother before turning toward the sheriff with an apologetic expression. “I’m sorry, Sheriff Wade. There are rules here, and they won’t be broken. Not for anyone.”
The sheriff shrugged and then looked hard into the twins’ faces. “Your choice. Stay here, follow the rules, and get along. Or—”
“That’s not exactly what I meant,” Billie interrupted.
He pretended not to hear. “Or go to prison camp. Don’t matter to me either way.”
If it didn’t matter, the youths wouldn’t be at the ranch in the first place. The sheriff obviously had a soft spot for the twins, even if he tried to hide it behind a rough exterior and gruff threats.
“Guess we’ll stay at the ranch,” Mickey said, his gaze shifting toward the ground.
“It ain’t all bad.” Marty shrugged his shoulders. “At least we get to eat every day.”
“Looks as if they’re staying,” Sheriff Wade announced with a relieved smile.
“No. Wait—” Billie said. “That’s not what—”
“Billie—” Her mother interrupted. “Think of all God has done for you. He gave you a second chance at this ranch. Maybe this is your chance to do the same for someone else.”
“Your mother has a point,” her father said with concern in his gaze. “Don’t do anything you’ll regret.”
Billie groaned. “I can’t believe I’m going along with this…” She mumbled under her breath before speaking louder. “No promises, Sheriff Wade. We’ll give it a try. Every boy here works hard, and they will, too. I’ll let you know in a week if they can remain or if they must go.”
Billie’s mom beamed. Her father nodded in approval.
Sheriff Wade tipped his hat then backed out the door. He obviously intended to make a quick getaway before Billie’s mind changed.
This was a good opportunity for Susannah to practice the forgiveness Minister Klein had talked to her about. Lord, help me. It was bad enough the twins tried to steal from her. Now she had to cook for them, too.
~*~
“Glad to see the fence isn’t cut again,” Luke said. “I thought it might be rustlers, though it’s been several months since they’ve made a showing in these parts.”
“They like to move around,” Kwi said. “Makes it hard to catch them. They’ve even stolen from the tribe a time or two. It’s only a matter of time before they get caught.”
Luke shook his head in disbelief. “They’re either real brave or real stupid. Stealing from a Comanche tribe is a death sentence.”
“Maybe they’re brave and stupid,” Kwi said. “The most dangerous breed of all.”
“Never understood why men chose to break the law when they could do an honest day’s work for the same effort.” He slid from his horse and walked toward the downed fence post. He clasped it with both hands and yanked it back into place. The rain from earlier in the week had left the ground moist, and the earth welcomed the repositioned post without any resistance. “That’s why bounty hunting got so hard—dealing with criminals every day. I started wondering if there were more out to do harm than good. That’s when I knew God’s grace had lifted, and it was time to move on.”
“Do you ever miss it?” Kwi asked.
“Not for a second.” Luke rested his elbow upon the post. “I don’t make as much money, but I close my eyes at the end of the day, and I have peace in my soul. That’s worth more than silver and gold.”
Kwi slid off his horse, reaching into his saddlebag and pulling out a hammer. “It’s good when you know you’re doing what God has called you to do.”
“He put me and Billie here for this very purpose.” Luke looked out over the horizon before turning his attention back to his brother. “Why don’t you stay? With us.”
“Is that why you asked me to help with the fence?” Kwi struck the post to drive it in deeper. “So you could try and convince me to stay?”
“Maybe.”
“Did our father ask you to speak to me?”
“This doesn’t have anything to do with our father. We need you here for several reasons.” Luke tugged his gloves off, sticking them in his duster pocket. A light mist seeped downward from the trees, making the cool autumn day even more so. “You’re the best we’ve ever had with the animals. And you’re good with the boys.” A semi-grin touched his lips. “They’re half afraid of you, so they listen to what you say.”
“Fear is in their imagination. I think it’s my scar.” Kwi grinned and then looked off into the distance, his gaze lingering upon the faraway hills. How could he help his brother understand that he longed for his old way of life? He’d not grown up the same way as Luke. He’d experienced a freedom he refused to toss aside. “I miss the land. I miss my people.”
“We’re your people now,” Luke said, lifting his hand to his brother’s shoulder.
“No…” Kwi took a step back. “You’re my family. You’re not my people.”
Luke winced as if struck on the cheek.
Kwi walked back toward his horse, dropping the hammer in the saddlebag. He hadn’t meant his words to sound harsh, but they were truth. He and Luke had not grown up together. They barely knew the other existed. Still, he loved his brother, but his bond lay with the Comanche. “I know what you’re trying to do, and I can’t stay.”
“From what our father has said—” Luke pulled himself up into the saddle, locking his stare upon Kwi. “You can’t go back either.”
Silence moved between them. Kwi was growing weary of people telling him what he could and couldn’t do. He’d prayed and believed he’d heard from the Lord. It was His voice he followed. Not his own. He wasn’t sure why that was so hard for others to understand.
Luke’s fingers tightened about the saddle horn until his knuckles turned white. “He says the war chief will kill you. He says your brother’s rage is like a wildfire and even your mother cannot control him. If you go back—”
“He thinks I’m dead.” Kwi stuck his foot in the stirrup then swung into the saddle. “I know him better than most. Perhaps he regrets what he did.”
“Perhaps he doesn’t,” Luke challenged.
Kwi’s gaze shifted downward before lifting once again to his brother’s unbending stare. “Have you ever thought revenge would taste sweet, only to have it sour in your stomach?”
Luke didn’t respond.
Revenge had cost Kwi more than his heart could bear. It had cost him his home, his family, and his tribe. While returning might cost his life, who could say the price was too high? What more did he have to lose? “I will stay until spring arrives.”
Luke’s expression held resignation though his tone lightened. “Until spring then…”
6
Kwi frowned. “Why me?”
“Please,” Billie said, brushing Lillith’s hair with long, even strokes. “You know Freddy can’t ride in the buckboard with his hurt ankle, and Luke is extra busy because Freddy can’t help near as much. You’re the practical choice.”
They stood inside the main room of Luke and Billie’s cabin. The smell of early morning coffee lingered about the air. The dying fire sputtered in the hearth. Lillith sat on a stool, her legs dangling in front of her.
“I’m busy, too,” he said, not sounding convincing even to himself.
She glanced up in amusement. “Doing what?”
“Helping Luke.”
Billie set the brush aside and braided her daughter’s hair with deft fingers. “But Luke doesn’t need your help right now. I do. Besides, I’d think you’d enjoy a ride to town with Susannah. She’s kind, quick-minded, and pretty. There are worse chores, you know.”
“Don’t try any matchmaking.”
