The outcasts bride, p.5
The Outcast's Bride, page 5
Billie sat next to Luke on the green upholstered settee. Susannah sat on a chair across from them, her spine stiff and fingers entwined. Lillith paid them no mind as she played with a ragdoll beside the hearth. Kwi stood near the doorway, feet parted and face without expression. She’d insisted he stay for moral support and though reluctant, he’d finally agreed.
The small living space was cozy and warm despite the chill lingering upon her flesh. Discussing what she’d done caused Susannah to feel foolish and impulsive—like a woman who’d jumped into a raging river to escape a wasp.
“I’ve heard of many wonderful stories about mail order relationships,” Billie said in a kind tone. “I’ve also heard the opposite. I’m thankful you were brave enough to escape.”
“The Lord let me see Egan’s true nature before we made it to the minister. Even before we made it to his home, I realized what a tragic mistake I’d made.”
“Why? What happened?” Luke asked, leaning forward.
Susannah’s entwined fingers tightened. She glanced toward Kwi before explaining. “Egan picked me up at the station in an old buggy with an even older mare. When she had trouble pulling the buggy out of a deep rut, he took out his whip and…” She paused, closing her eyes to shut out the memory. “He didn’t care that I pleaded with him to stop. Begged him. He whipped her even harder. She was bleeding from the lashes, and he didn’t care.”
Kwi’s stance changed, and his anger simmered beneath an intense stare.
“Egan took me to his house to introduce me to his mother. It was just the two of them. Her legs were twisted, and she looked to be bound to a chair, but the worst part was the rage. She called Egan such horrible names. He paid her no mind as if it were normal. I wasn’t sure what I might be dealing with, but I prayed as I’d never prayed before.”
“How did you get away?” Billie asked.
“Egan sent me to wait in the barn.” Her gaze lowered and trembling fingers brushed her throat. “He told me that after his mother went to sleep, he’d join me and make me his wife, and then we’d get married the next day.”
“He put you in a barn?” Luke said with inflamed cheeks, his fingers unfolding and then clenching several times. “Like an animal?”
She glanced toward Kwi and saw a strangeness in his stare that frightened her—an inner seething that caused her to freeze. She hadn’t told him this part. Maybe she shouldn’t be saying it now.
Billie reached out, laying a reassuring hand upon her fingers. “You don’t have to say more—”
“There’s not much more to tell. I took his mare and escaped. I left her with the livery stable owner. The man promised to hide her and never let Egan have her back. Then I got on the stagecoach and ran away.”
“It’s a miracle you’re alive,” Billie exclaimed.
“I’m still not sure I saw him today. How could he track me here?”
“Tracking you would’ve been the easy part,” Luke said. “If he had a legal document proving you’re his wife, the stagecoach operators would tell him that you were on the stage. It’s his legal right to know.”
“But I’m not his wife. He showed me the paper he had forged before I even arrived. I think he knew I’d try to leave. Maybe I’m not the first?”
“What a frightening thought.” Billie rose from her chair with a look of disgust and indignation intermingled across her features. “You’ll be safe here. That’s what matters now.”
Susannah wanted to feel grateful. Instead, an undercurrent of fear inched up her spine. “I’m not sure what Egan is capable of doing. I saw how he treated his horse. And his mother is not well. Who knows what type of upbringing he suffered.” She hated the words she said even before they left her lips. “If you want me to leave the ranch, then—”
“Leave? Where would you go?” Billie asked with hands opened. “At least here you have plenty of people watching for Egan. I know what it’s like to be on the run, and it’s exhausting.”
“It’s better to stand your ground,” Luke said. A knowing expression passed between him and his wife.
“Any man who comes this far isn’t giving up easy,” Kwi said, speaking for the first time. “If the sheriff shows up with a legal document proving Susannah is Egan’s wife, what will happen then?” When neither answered, he added, “I think we all know. She should change her name and leave on the next stage. For her own safety.”
Luke turned his full attention upon Susannah, his gaze like a heavy boulder pinning her to a wall. “Billie and I think you should stay. Kwi thinks you should go.” He tilted his head inquiringly. “What do you think you should do?”
She glanced at the faces staring back at her. She didn’t want to cause a family squabble.
A tender voice spoke into her heart. Speak truth.
“I want to stay. I’ve not been here long, but this is my home.”
“Good. It’s settled.” Luke stood. “The boys can take turns watching the road. Nothing will happen.”
“You made the right decision.” Billie patted her clasped hands.
Kwi shook his head and walked out the door. His disappointment pricked her heart, and for reasons that made no sense, she wished he felt differently.
~*~
An owl sounded from the distance as darkness descended. Susannah stared from the porch of her cabin, trying with all her might to peer into the woods. She did not want to tell anyone she thought she’d seen Egan amongst the trees a few weeks ago. They would think she’d lost her mind. Perhaps they’d be right.
Perhaps he’d never been near the woods. Perhaps he’d never been in town. She’d imagined him following her, as she’d imagined him a thousand times since the day she ran away. Every shadow. Every whistle. Every cold chill that ran up her spine.
The sound of shuffling feet and muted words drew her attention. Kwi strolled toward her, headed down the path leading to his cabin. Walking Stick kept pace beside him, neither realizing she stood on the porch until they were almost upon her.
She smiled, hoping to ease any friction between them. Kwi had made his wishes clear, and she’d chosen the opposite.
“I’ll see you in the cabin,” Kwi said to his father. “I need to speak to Susannah.”
His father shrugged his shoulders and continued walking along the shadowed path.
Susannah stood, muscles drawn into a tight knot. The emotional day had left her exhausted. She prayed her talk with Kwi would not be one more draining encounter.
“I hope you understood why I said you should leave.” He stepped closer to where she stood. “My thoughts were of your safety.”
“I understood. Part of me agrees with you.”
“But you don’t want to disappoint Billie and Luke.”
So, he understood after all. Relief eased the tension in her neck and back. “They’ve been so good to me.” She leaned sideways, her shoulder pressing into the roughly-hewed porch post. “If that really was Egan, I hope he’ll give up and go home. Once he looks around town and doesn’t find me, maybe he’ll move on.”
“There is an old Cherokee saying…” He stepped closer, his gaze boring into her own. “The weakness of the enemy makes one’s strength. As Comanche, our weakness is our brotherhood. We will all die rather than sacrifice one.”
His scent stirred her senses. Her entire being felt alive in ways she could not understand. It was a new sensation, something she’d never known before nor could explain. The faint breeze brushed his hair about his neckline.
“You must ask yourself,” he continued in a calm demeanor. “What is Egan’s weakness?”
“I’m not sure what you mean…”
After a second of hesitation, Kwi reached in his trouser pocket and pulled out a derringer. “Sleep with this under your pillow.”
“I can’t shoot anyone—”
He reached out, taking her palm, and putting the gun in her hand. His touch scalded her flesh, and she prayed the heat of her cheeks did not betray her thoughts.
“Egan’s weakness is you. He thinks you belong to him. He won’t expect you to resist because in his messed-up mind, you’re already his. When he sees the gun, he will leave you alone. He’s a coward at heart. Anyone who mistreats an animal or a woman—”
She didn’t even know how to load a weapon, much less aim and shoot. Nor did she want to confess such for fear he’d teach her. Better to simply agree and let him have his say.
“But don’t shoot Freddy,” he said. “He tends to look for excuses to come around you.”
“Freddy is doing what Freddy does—helping others.”
Kwi tipped his hat with a grin. “Good night, Susannah. Sleep well.”
She smiled as he walked away—pleased there was no animosity between them and pleased for reasons she dared not ponder.
9
“I’m leaving you in Susannah’s capable hands,” Billie said as she escorted Mickey and Marty into the kitchen where Susannah worked on preparing the noon meal. “You two can report back to me when you’re finished with what you learned.”
The sound of the closing kitchen door filled Susannah with dread. She didn’t want to teach the thieves about cooking or anything else. In her mind, they still needed a good switching to their backsides.
“What’re you waitin’ on?” Mickey asked, looking at her with a quizzical expression.
Susannah pulled herself together. Don’t think about what they did. Think about your job.
“So, how did you two manage to go first when there are so many boys here?” she asked as she moved toward the pantry, pulling out a bag of flour and placing it on the counter.
“The other boys are busy working with the cattle, and we weren’t much help, so Freddy asked Billie to get rid of us for an hour or two,” Marty said.
“Yeah, he did,” Mickey added with laughter in his gaze. “He didn’t know we heard him, but that’s what he said.”
“Well, different people are good at different things.” Susannah was determined not to feel sorry for them. “Maybe working the cattle won’t be what you’re good at. Maybe it’ll be shearing the sheep or helping with the pigs or even mending the fences.”
“Or cooking,” Marty added.
She resisted the urge to cringe. “So, what would you like to learn to cook first?”
“Apple strudel,” Mickey said. “Our momma used to make the best apple strudel ever.”
Apple strudel! Did they think her a pastry chef?
“I was thinking more along the lines of bread pudding or—” Her face softened upon seeing the disappointment in their faces. “I’m sorry, but apple strudel isn’t a dish I ever learned. I cooked at the orphanage where I grew up, and we never had anything quite so fancy.”
“You grew up at an orphanage?” Marty asked, his eyes wide. “You’re pulling our leg.”
“I don’t believe it either,” Mickey said. “You’re saying that to make us feel better about ourselves.”
Susannah laughed. “Now, why on earth would I lie about such a thing?”
They grinned, and she found herself almost wanting to like them. She set the rolling pin on the counter and took out a core of butter. “My father died with pneumonia, and my mother was ill. She couldn’t take care of me.“
“So she left you there?” Mickey asked. “Forever?”
“Sort of. I think she really thought she’d get well and come back for me.”
“But God didn’t heal her, did he?” Marty asked the question, looking as if he already knew the answer. “Same thing happened to our momma.”
Both stared at her as if she were telling a bedtime story and they hoped for a better ending. She wished she could give them more than the truth. “Some things won’t make sense to us in this life. That’s what a dear minister friend told me. I guess if everything was perfect and no one ever died, we’d already be in heaven. In this world, we will have tribulation.” She held out white aprons. “Tie these around your waist. Billie will not be happy if you mess up the new clothes she got you.”
“You didn’t have any other relatives?” Mickey asked, his chin tilted and eyes slightly narrowed in curiosity. “No one else to take care of you?”
“No, but the folks at the orphanage were good people. They tried to make it feel like a family. Much as it is here.”
“Being here ain’t so bad,” Mickey said, tying the apron loose about his waist. “Least not once you get used to it. I mean, I got a bed to sleep in and food in my belly every day.”
“Yeah,” Marty said, rubbing his stomach. “Me, too. And you don’t always have to be lookin’ over your shoulder to see if someone’s gonna take what’s yours.” His lips lifted in a fleeting grin. “I’ve never been in a place where I didn’t have to fight to keep what I got, even if it was a cold biscuit.”
Warmth penetrated Susannah’s heart. “Different takes getting used to, doesn’t it? Even if different is good.” She pulled out a bag of raisins. “This won’t be quite as good as apple strudel, but—”
The door to the kitchen opened. Billie’s mother strode in. “Did I hear we were having apple strudel? That’s one of my favorite desserts.”
Susannah offered a welcoming smile. “Mickey and Marty wanted me to show them how to bake apple strudel, but they’re out of luck. I never learned.”
“Then let an old woman teach these youngsters a thing a two.” She pushed up her sleeves. “I can make apple strudel so delicious that it’ll make you heart sing and stomach dance a jig.”
Marty laughed. “I never seen such a thing.”
Mickey shook his head. “Talking about our guts makes me sick.”
“You’ll get your appetite back soon enough,” the older woman teased. “Now, gather around.” She waved her hand about as if conducting an orchestra. “You, too, Susannah. Move in close. All three of you. You’re about to learn a thing or two today.”
~*~
Every meal Susannah prepared today had been well received. She loved to cook, but even more so when it was appreciated.
It had also pleased her to see the twins in the kitchen. She had to admit—she was thoroughly impressed with how quickly they learned and how eager they were to do their best.
After everyone had a chance to enjoy apple strudel, Susannah asked the boys if they’d like to help her more often in the kitchen, and they were both eager. Billie’s mother even offered to join them on occasion.
She loved how food could turn acquaintances into friends, and even family. She’d enjoyed time with her new family. She hoped she could hang onto the feeling of belonging for a lifetime.
Marty and Mickey walked home with her, both talking nonstop.
“I think I want to open a restaurant one day,” Marty said, looking toward his brother for approval. “We could work there together—call it the Denver Diner, since that’s our last name. Maybe even serve apple strudel every day.”
“I’d like to call it Mary’s Cafe, after our momma,” Mickey said.
“Yeah.” Marty’s expression brightened. “She would’ve liked that.”
“Sounds as if you had a real good momma.” Susannah smiled as they neared her front porch.
“A good momma and a good daddy,” Mickey said. “He always brought us a piece of licorice from the candy store when he’d go to town. When I have a son, or maybe a daughter, I’m gonna buy them licorice.”
Billie appeared from the shadows, walking toward the trio. A somberness clung to her gaze. “You boys need to get to your cabin. It’ll be bedtime soon, and I don’t want Freddy to come tell on you.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Marty looked toward Susannah with a wide smile. “Good night, Miss Susannah.”
“See you tomorrow,” Mickey added with a quick wave.
After they walked away, Billie sighed in relief. “Looks as though they may be turning around after all. I’ve prayed hard for those boys.”
“They were great in the kitchen today.” Susannah became anxious because of Billie’s demeanor. “Both were naturals. I told them I’d ask if they could help more often.”
“That’d make Freddy happy. I don’t think there’s a more patient soul alive than Freddy, and he wanted to pull out his hair today. Those boys know nothing about cattle or anything else that has to do with ranching.” Billie stopped talking, creating an uncomfortable pause. “The reason I came by…there’s something I need to tell you.”
Susannah held her breath. Had they changed their mind about her staying? Her heart would break into pieces.
Billie neared the porch where Susannah still stood. “One of the boys reported seeing a strange buckboard near the entrance today. Said the driver stayed there for a good hour, turned his buggy around, and then headed back toward town—the same direction he’d come from.” She took a shallow breath before adding, “From the description of the man, it sounded like—”
Susannah’s insides tumbled. She reached for the porch post. “Egan…?”
Egan wasn’t stupid. Cruel. Cold-hearted. Relentless. All those things, but stupid, he was not. Now, he practically owned her—at least the marriage laws made her feel that way. He’d come to claim his bride and with the legal documents to support his claim, what could she do? What could Billie or Luke do to stop him? Fear tightened about her mind like a tourniquet.
“I know it’s not the news any of us wanted to hear.” Billie’s voice trailed off into the night.
Susannah twisted her hands. “I was so naïve. I never thought he’d find me here or I wouldn’t have come.”
“Don’t blame yourself. It’s not your fault the man is deranged.” Billie squared her chin, and her eyes narrowed with strength in her stare. “Luke has placed scouts in lookout positions about the ranch so there’s no need to worry. No harm will come to you. You can rest well. I shared the news because I thought you should know—not so you’d worry.”
Susannah nodded, her glance falling as she struggled to sort through her thoughts.
“We care about you, Susannah. All of us here. We want you to stay. Don’t do anything you’ll regret. You’re safe.”
Hot tears stung Susannah’s eyes. She lifted her gaze. “As long as Egan Fontaine is alive, I’ll never be safe.”
