At the knock on the door a moment later, Dalton looked over his shoulder. “Yes?” he called out.
Frederick poked his head in. “I wanted to ensure all was well. We have supper waiting, but we could bring it to you on trays, if you prefer.”
Dalton nodded his head at the second option, and Frederick winked before backing out.
“No,” Charlotte protested. “They’ve already done so much. We shouldn’t put them to more work.”
Smoothing his hands over her, he eased her of any desire to rise from the comfort of his arms. “No, love, let them continue to care for us. We’ll thank them in the morning.” He sighed with contentment to hold her safe in his arms, as she slipped into sleep once more, thankful to have his friends around him.
* * *
Charlotte emerged from the bedroom the next day in time for the midday meal. Rubbing a hand over her growling stomach, she entered the kitchen. “Oof,” she gasped, as she was enveloped in a hug.
“Don’t you ever scare us like that again, young lady. Do you hear me?” Irene said, as she squeezed her tight.
“Mrs. Tompkins,” Charlotte stammered. “I … I’m sorry.”
“Don’t you go apologizin’ to her when it ain’t your fault some madman put you on the back of my lunatic horse,” Harold said, hauling her close for his embrace and a kiss on her head. “We’re relieved to see you looking so well.”
“What are you doing here?” Charlotte asked, staring with confusion from one to the other, as though they were apparitions. “I thought you had a café to run.”
“Oh, the townsfolk’ll survive a day or two without us. We had to ensure our Dalton wasn’t going to suffer another misfortune. That boy’s endured enough. If there was anythin’ we could do, we wanted to be here to help.”
Nodding, Charlotte edged away from them. “Of course. I’m delighted you’re here to reassure yourselves that Dalton is well.” She stilled when Irene rested a hand on her forearm.
“You do understand he wouldn’t have been well if you’d been harmed?” Irene asked with a frown.
Harold scratched at his head as he studied Charlotte. “Come. Let me tell you a story. Ireney saved you some food, and I can imagine you’d like a cup of coffee.” He waved away her protestations. “Dalton’s busy with Fred in his office, and he’ll be here soon. We have a surprise for the two of you, and we had to keep the boy busy until you woke up.”
At the delighted, curious gleam in her eyes, he grinned. “You’ll have to wait for him. And he wouldn’t want you to be hungry, so eat up.” Harold settled in the comfortable chair at the head of the table, while Charlotte sat on a bench by his side. “Now I can imagine what your life was like as a child. Filled with loneliness. A miserable mother or father. No loving siblings.” Harold shrugged, as though it were a story he’d heard too often for his liking. “We have a tendency to attract that sort of stray.” He grunted when Irene tapped him on his head.
“They aren’t strays, Harold,” Irene muttered. “They’re our family.”
Shrugging unrepentantly, Harold grinned at Charlotte, as he sipped at his coffee. “If you had a strong family or ties you couldn’t break, you wouldn’t be here with us now. That much I know is true.” He awaited her protestations, and, when none came, he gave a grunt of self-acknowledgment at his logic. “Now Irene and I met when we were young. Sweethearts.”
Irene rolled her eyes, although she couldn’t hide the flirting smile of her lips or the sparkle in her gaze when she stared at her husband of over fifty years.
Charlotte giggled around a bite of scrambled eggs.
“Do you know the greatest sadness, Charlotte?” Harold asked. At the shake of her head, he said, “It’s to yearn for something with all your soul and to be denied it.” He stared at Irene. “Thankfully I’ve always had my Ireney. But we never had the houseful of children we desired.”
“I thought you had a son,” Charlotte said.
“Ah, yes, our boy,” Harold said. “Headstrong and too proud for his own good. We loved him somethin’ fierce. But we learned we couldn’t smother him with all the love we had inside us. Rather than drown in regret at not havin’ the ten children we desired”—he winked at Irene as she snorted—“we opened our hearts to those who were like family to us. Our hired hands. Our friends in town. And now we have a life fuller than I ever would have thought possible.”
Irene sniffled and nodded.
“I don’t understand,” Charlotte whispered.
“You’re precious to us because you’re precious to Dalton,” Harold said. “But, if you’d allow it, you’d be precious to us simply because of who you are. Let us love you like grandparents.”
Charlotte’s fork clattered to the table, and she covered her gaping mouth with her hand. She shook her head, over and over again in tiny motions, panicked gasps emerging.
Harold’s delighted expression faded, as he stared at the sign of her distress. “Charlotte? I’m sorry if the thought of us caring for you is dreadful.”
“Not dreadful,” she gasped out. “Unexpected. Like a Christmas gift. I … I don’t know what your kind of caring means.” She swallowed as she stared from Irene to Harold again and again. “I’ve never had someone offer me—” Her voice broke.
“Love,” Irene said in a soft voice. “Yes, you have, child. I know Dalton’s offered you his.”
Harold reached forward, his gnarled, callused hand swiping her cheeks. “Are you tellin’ me no one’s ever given you a Christmas gift?” At her flushed bow of her head, he muttered his displeasure.
“I’m afraid I’ll disappoint you,” Charlotte gasped out. “I … Dalton tells me that I don’t have to earn love, but I don’t know how to not lose it if I haven’t earned it.”
Irene made a soothing sound and sat down, forcing Charlotte to scoot down the bench. Irene wrapped an arm around the younger woman’s back, encouraging her to lean her head on her sturdy shoulder. “Now you must rid yourself of such nonsense. You don’t need to earn anything. You are precious as you are. If you do something that offends or bothers us, we will tell you.”
Harold spoke up. “Did Warren lose the family’s regard after concealing his cousin’s part in your misfortune?” He shook his head. “No. We were upset, but we’d never act so rashly as to hurt him. That’s not what family does. That’s not who we are.”
Charlotte rested her head against Irene’s shoulder. “I wasn’t raised like this. With understanding and kindness.”
Irene chuckled. “Well, if we smother you with it now, let us know.” She looked to the door, her smile broadening at the sight of Dalton, leaning against the doorjamb. “And now I believe it’s time for your surprise.”
* * *
Dalton’s eyes glowed with a soft joy at the sight of Irene, the woman who had been like a mother to him for so many years, caring for his wife. He thought his heart would burst at seeing Harold and Irene care so tenderly for Charlotte. “Surprise?” he murmured. “Is it news that Orville died overnight?”
“Oh, hush,” Irene ordered. “You don’t want such bad tidings so early in your marriage. And you don’t want Dixon to have to suffer an inquest. No, the sorry man’s in town. Helen sewed him up last night. Did enough bellyachin’ to keep most of us awake late into the night.”
“Why didn’t the doc help?” Dalton asked.
“He was off helping at a mining disaster,” Harold said. “Warren insisted on stayin’ in town until his useless cousin was shipped out. Should happen sometime this mornin’. He’ll be sent back to Butte.”
Standing tall with his hands on his hips, Dalton shook his head. “I want there to be some consequences for how he treated Lottie. I don’t want anyone thinkin’ they can show up and hurt her.”
Irene laughed. “Believe me. No one does. Between a dislocated shoulder and a bullet in the same shoulder, none will bother you again, Dalton.” She smiled when he relaxed at her words.
Harold played with his suspenders as he said, “I know War
ren and Helen wished they could have come to the ranch with us this morning. You know how much Warren enjoys his interludes here.”
“Damn busybody,” Frederick said, as he entered the kitchen and poured himself and Dalton cups of coffee. His blue eyes sparkled as he talked about Warren. “He’ll find any excuse to sneak onto the ranch for an interlude with his wife.”
Dalton shifted from foot to foot and shared a concerned look with his wife. “Won’t those have to come to an end now that Lottie and I will move into my old cabin?”
Frederick grinned and nodded for them to follow him. He opened the side door leading toward the barn and whistled. A few hoots were heard in the distance, as though answering Frederick’s call.
Irene patted Charlotte one more time and stood from the table. Charlotte scooted out after Irene and linked hands with Dalton. “I don’t know what they have planned,” she whispered.
“Whatever it is, act delighted,” he muttered with a wink. “With our luck, they’ve found Brutus and decided he should be your pet.”
She giggled and leaned against his side. He breathed in her subtle scent and knew that whatever was planned wouldn’t take away from this moment.
Frederick allowed his grandparents down the steps but remained, blocking Dalton and Charlotte from leaving the kitchen. “Once you get outside, you’ll know what the surprise is. And you’ll understand why I wanted you away at the homestead for so long. Don’t be mad.”
“Mad?” Dalton asked, as he stepped in front of Charlotte. “Oh, what did you do?” he whispered, as he gazed out at the area past the driveway. Rather than two cabins, a newly constructed one sat on the opposite side of Slims and Davina’s, away from the one he had shared with Mary. It looked larger, and it had a sizeable front porch.
Sorcha raced toward them, her braid flowing behind her. “Dalton! Charlotte! Is it no’ the bonniest cabin?” She stumbled to a halt, as she saw their dumbfounded expressions. “Do ye no’ like it? How can ye no’ like it?” She fisted her hands on her hips, as she stared at them in consternation.
Frederick wrapped an arm around her waist, whispering in her ear as he eased her away.
Dalton turned to face his wife, leading her down the steps, his eyes glistening. “It seems our family made us a cabin.”
“How?” Charlotte gasped, her eyes huge. “We never meant to be a bother. We could sleep in a room in the bunkhouse.”
Sorcha wrapped her in a hug, silencing her protestations.
Frederick slapped Dalton on his back. “I realized you couldn’t return to the home you’d shared with Mary. It wouldn’t be right for either of you. Besides, Warren needs that for his retreats from town.”
Harold swayed on his feet. “Come on! Quit lollygaggin’, and come see your new home!” He held out his arm for Irene, and they followed Dalton and Charlotte as they walked arm and arm toward the cabin.
“I can’t believe they did this for us,” Dalton said over and over again, his gaze taking in the finely constructed cabin. His smile broadened as Ewan emerged from inside with Ben. “Where’d you hide last night?” Dalton called out.
“In the other cabin. Figured we’d be safe there,” Ben said, as he shook Dalton’s hand.
Dalton clapped Ewan on his back, as he led Charlotte up the porch steps. “The step doesn’t dip with my weight.”
Ewan laughed. “Aye, that’s because we built it.”
Poking his head inside, Dalton noted a two-room cabin. Facing his friends, who were also his family, he shook his head in amazement. “I don’t know what to say.”
Charlotte squeezed his hand, in an instant understanding everything Dalton, Bears, and the family had been trying to teach her. Love and friendship and acts of goodwill from those who truly cared for you were never offered to place you in that person’s debt. Charlotte never wanted to honor such precious gifts again with her imaginary tally in her mind. “Thank you. Thank you so much.” She let out a deep breath. “I was dreading battling a ghost.”
“Enjoy your home. We’ll have a proper celebration tonight,” Frederick said. “Dalton, take another few days off to enjoy time with your bride. Soon enough you’ll have plenty of work.” He eased the small group away from the cabin, as Dalton stood on the porch with Charlotte.
“Well, do you want to go in?” he asked.
She shook her head. “No.”
“No?” he asked, dumbfounded. “Lottie, this will be our home. They’ve done this for us. How can you—”
She covered his lips with her fingers, her eyes filled with regret. “I denied us so much on our wedding day. Our first dance. Cutting the cake.” Her eyes filled, and she blinked to banish the tears. “But I don’t want to lose out on this tradition.” She bit her lip. “Will you carry me over the threshold?”
He gave a small whoop, sweeping her into his arms. “With pleasure, my love.” He kissed her and then eased inside with her in his arms, thankful for a little more free time with her, before he had to return to work.
Chapter 16
Dalton lifted his head from the comfortable pillows, frowning at the sound of wagon after wagon rolling down the drive. He eased out from under Charlotte, resting her head on the pillow and kissing her cheek. “I’ll be back in a moment,” he murmured, as she gave a whimper of protest.
Peering out the front window, he saw the large MacKinnon family and their associates jumping down from the wagons. They smiled and embraced each other, giving Dalton the impression that everything was well. However, never had they all come to the ranch at one time. “Give me a moment, love. I’ll be back.”
He slipped on his boots and was out the door a moment later, patting down his hair. “Mr. Harold!” he called out. Clutching Harold’s hand, he gaped at the sight of Tobias Sutton standing beside him. “Sir, I’m certain you’re not welcome here.”
“Now don’t get on your high horse. It’s up to Frederick to decide, and the boy’s not noticed yet,” Harold said. “Besides, Tobias is a member of the family, and this is a family party.”
“A family party?” Dalton asked, momentarily distracted from the presence of the man who had wreaked such havoc on Frederick’s family. “I don’t understand.”
“Well, when word reached us yesterday about that man finally turnin’ up, and then needin’ poor Helen’s aid last night, we decided it was high time for a party. You and your bride were a bit skittish at your weddin’. Thought it was time for a do-over.”
Rubbing his head with exasperation, Dalton muttered, “You can’t do-over a wedding, Mr. Harold. We’ve been married for some time now.”
“That might be so, and I hope you’ve found happiness with her.” He paused, staring deeply into Dalton’s bright blue eyes. He smiled at whatever he saw in them. “And so it appears you have. However, you never did dance with her. Nor did you eat your cake.” He motioned to Annabelle, unloading goodies from the back of the wagon. “Anna’s made you another cake, and, if you have the sense I always thought you had, you won’t protest.”
With a quick shake of his head, Dalton stared at everyone in dumbfounded awe. “They’re here for Lottie and me?”
“Yes, lad,” Harold said. “Go get your bride. Everyone wants to reassure themselves that she’s well. There was quite an uproar last night at the thought she’d been harmed.”
Dalton cleared his throat, his eyes tear glazed. “Thank you, sir.” He thumped Harold on his back, before striding to his new home, Tobias’s presence forgotten. His breath caught. His new home. One that he’d share with Lottie. And not have to battle memories of another life. Another time.
He took a steadying breath and opened the door, smiling to find his bride still abed. “Love,” he said in a tender voice. “You’ll want to get dressed. Our time to lay about has come to an end.”
She gazed up at him adoringly. “Why?” she whispered in an enticing way, that always made him want to jump back into bed with her. Then she sat upright, her gaze filled with fear as she panted in panic. “The wagons. I
t’s trouble. He’s escaped. He’s after me.”
Reaching her in a few short strides, Dalton caressed her shoulders. “No, love. Nothing like that.” Soothing caresses to her head and hair had her leaning against him. “Never that.” He shuddered as he kissed her brow. “The MacKinnons and all the family have come calling. Want to ensure you are well and then have a party to celebrate us.”
“Celebrate us?” she asked, pushing back to stare at him in bewilderment. “Why?”
“They want us to dance and eat cake.” He frowned as her eyes filled with tears. “I thought it would bring you joy.”
She threw herself into his arms, wrapping hers around him with such a ferocious tenderness that he almost lost his breath. “It does.” She sniffled, as she refused to let him go. “I’m trying not to be overwhelmed by their generosity.”
Kissing her head and running hands over her back, he waited the long moments she needed before she relaxed in his arms. “I want to dance with you. Eat cake with you. Watch you bloom under their love and care.”
She looked up at him, shaking her head. “I bloom because of your care, husband.”
Sighing, he kissed her, forgetting the large group waiting them. For now, he had everything he wanted in his arms.
* * *
Charlotte approached the large group setting up trestle tables with a cautious gait. The women chattered and laughed, their jovial attitude infectious. Smiling, Charlotte asked, “What can I do to help?”
“Charlotte!” Jessamine yelled, pulling her in close for a hug, before releasing her to pass her off to her kinswomen. Soon Annabelle, Fidelia, Leticia, and Jane had embraced her too—Sorcha and Davina watching with smiles. “Oh, you don’t know how relieved I am to see you well!”
“I wanted to bash that man with my rolling pin for daring to harm you,” Annabelle said, as she tugged her close. “Cailean wouldn’t let me out of his sight.”
Healing Montana Love: Bear Grass Springs, Book Eleven Page 19
