“I don’t like her,” Vernon noted. “Too unnatural.”
“She doesn’t care for you, either,” Garrett tossed back. “Too bigoted.”
A small smile curved his father’s lips. Pleased by that, Garrett settled in for the drive.
As they entered town, his father said, “I can’t get over how small and quiet this place is. No crowds or streetcars. No vendors on the streets.”
Garrett understood. “Took me some time to get accustomed to it, too, but the silence grows on you. At least it has on me.”
His father added, “Moving here will mean turning your back on Quincy and all he’s done for you by taking you under his wing and teaching you carpentry.”
Garrett wanted to roll his eyes. “Your brother has always encouraged me to be my own man. I know I’ll miss him, but I also know he’ll support my decision. And who knows, once I tell him about the wealth of trees here, he may want to pull up stakes and join me. Maybe establish his own carpentry business here.”
The wagon pulled to a stop in front of the boardinghouse. Once everyone climbed down Garrett said to them, “I’ll join you inside shortly.”
Fannie and Melody called out their goodbyes to Spring. Hiram offered her his thanks for driving them, but Vernon climbed to the porch and entered without a word.
Once Garrett and Spring were alone, she told him, “If your folks ever visit again, make sure they leave Vernon at home.”
“I promise.” Thoughts of Vernon were immediately eclipsed by the knowledge that he’d be leaving town soon and it came with a sadness that he felt in his bones. That the separation would be temporary only helped a little bit. “We’ll probably be leaving the day after tomorrow.”
She nodded tightly and there was sadness in her eyes, too.
He added, “I’ll spend most of tomorrow with them, but I’d like to spend my last night here with you.”
“I’d like that.”
“We probably won’t get much sleep though.”
She chuckled. “Probably not. Let’s hope you don’t hurt yourself.”
“If I do, I’ll have a cross-country train ride to heal up.” His love for her was also bone deep.
For a moment neither spoke; they simply drank in each other with their eyes. She finally said, “I should probably get going. I’ll look forward to seeing you tomorrow.”
“Same here.”
“Your father’s head will probably explode if he sees us, but I need a goodbye kiss, McCray.”
“I thought you’d never ask.”
She leaned down and the kiss they shared was as sweet with longing as it was tender. It exuded the sadness of the looming separation, but their mutual passion fed the bond they’d built. When it ended, he ran a caressing finger over the soft skin of her cheek. “Be careful going home. I’ll see you tomorrow evening.”
“I will. I think I’m in love with you.”
His mouth dropped. Before he could respond verbally, she shot him a wink and drove off.
Outdone, he yelled, “Spring! Get back here!”
He heard her laughter as the wagon rolled away.
Watching the wagon disappear from sight, surprise and elation filled him. They had a lot to discuss tomorrow, including the way her parting words stunned him like being kicked in the chest by a mule. Ignoring the few people standing in front of Miller’s General Store eyeing him oddly, he ascended the steps of the boardinghouse as if floating on air. Smiling, he opened the door and went inside.
His father sat alone in the dining room and upon seeing Garrett’s face asked, “What’s happened?”
“Nothing,” Garrett replied, tamping down the glee brought on by Spring’s startling declaration. “I thought you’d be upstairs resting after all you’ve done today.”
“I’ll do that in a moment. Wanted to speak with you first. Is there somewhere more private we can sit?”
Garrett sighed. He’d had enough of his father for the day but wanted Hiram to get whatever it was he had off his chest now rather than later. “There are chairs out back. We can talk there.”
Outside, they took seats in the old armchairs set in a cleared portion of the grassy field. It was early evening and the sun was making its way across the snowcapped mountains. Hiram said, “I have to admit the scenery is outstanding.”
“Glad we can agree on something.”
His father smiled before asking with serious curiosity, “Why her, Garrett?”
He shrugged in response. “From the moment we met, something about her settled into me that I can’t dislodge.” He again told the story of his rescue. “I’d’ve probably died had she not come along during that storm.”
“So your life’s been in danger twice since you arrived, and you still want to live here?”
“I do.”
“Makes no sense.”
“It doesn’t have to, does it?”
“I suppose not. but you’d be better off back home where you aren’t in danger of being killed by blizzards or guns. Tell me about the ambush.”
So for the next little while they talked about his fight with Matt Ketchum on the night of the Cale party.
The telling left his father both angry and afraid for him. “I appreciate you coming to Miss Lee’s aid, but men of the race have been killed for less, Garrett.”
“True, but the color of his skin doesn’t allow Ketchum to spit in my face.”
“I’ve endured more.”
“I understand, but when do we reach the point of saying: No more?”
His father didn’t respond.
Had the country wanted him to remain subservient, it should never have let him enlist in the navy. Being able to see the world and the possibilities it held as a free man had removed the scales from his eyes. “Although the law may never reflect it, we are not less in any way, and I refuse to believe that I am simply because others do.”
“You’re right, and that fire you have inside would be good in a courtroom.”
“And more than likely get me killed. I don’t have the desire nor the patience to argue laws that only one race has to abide by. There are men back East far more skilled at that than I.”
“So you want to move here.”
“I do, and no disrespect but this is my life, not yours.”
There was sadness on Hiram’s face as he looked out into the field. “Forgive an old man for wanting his son by his side so that he knows he’ll be safe.” He met Garrett’s eyes. “The thought of you being here and out of my sight is something I’m having trouble with.”
“Why?” Garrett asked softly. “We were apart when I went into the navy.”
“But I knew Quincy would keep you safe. I suppose this need to hold on to you is tied to our being slaves. I was sold as a babe, and to this day have no idea who my parents are. When you were small and it looked like you’d grow up to be big and strong like me, I did everything in my power to keep you from being sold. Men of our stature were worth small fortunes on the block. When it became certain that Master McCray was going broke, he wanted to sell you, but I begged him not to sell us separately. I took on work in his fields hoping to help increase his profits. Fannie volunteered to be auctioned off if it meant you and I could stay together.”
Garrett never knew that. His heart ached.
“Neither of us wanted our only child to grow up and not be raised by at least one of us, so you’d know how much you were loved. I’ve watched over you, guided you, comforted you from the nightmares you had after Fannie was sold. I know you’re a grown man, Garrett, but turning you loose is difficult.”
“You raised me well, Hiram, and I will never not appreciate your love and care. I’m going to move here, but I will visit, write—send you wires. You aren’t losing me. Please don’t think that you are.”
“My head knows that but my heart . . .”
“And please don’t force Melody to marry someone she has no feelings for just because you want status.”
Hiram sighed. “All my life
I’ve wanted to be more. To be recognized as something other than how I’m defined. Is it so wrong to want that for my daughter?”
“You and Mama love each other. Melody should have a chance at that, as well, not be with a man she has no feelings for simply because he’s wealthy. Why did you even bring him along?”
“He loaned me the money for the train tickets. The hotel where I work is being renovated and will be closed for the next few months. They’re paying me a small portion of my salary until it reopens but it isn’t enough for extras like train tickets. I’ll repay him when I go back to work.”
“Loan or no loan, Vernon proved today he’s not worthy to be her husband, and she doesn’t deserve to be unhappy for the rest of her life.” He wanted to tell him about Spring and her grandfather but had no right to share her painful story without her consent.
“The bigotry was surprising.”
“As was Spring’s restraint.”
His father searched his face. “You love her, don’t you?”
“I do. Probably from the moment she shook me awake and threatened to feed me to a bear if I ruined her new sofa.”
His father stared.
“Long story. I’ll share it with you some other time. How’s the paper? Were the subscribers pleased with the installments about Dr. Lee?”
“They were, but it’s no more.”
Garrett was taken aback. “Why?”
“It was another of the extras I can no longer afford. Do I buy ink or do your mother and I have food on the table?”
He understood. “I’m sorry to hear that. Will you start up again when the hotel opens?”
“I don’t know. We’ll see.”
He knew how much the newspaper meant to him and hoped he’d be able to print it again. “You should go get some rest.”
He nodded and asked, “Is there any chance you’ll change your mind about moving here?”
“No.”
He sighed with surrender. “Okay. I suppose I’ll have to live with that. And so you’ll know, your mother isn’t keen on me deciding who Melody will marry, either.”
“Good for her.”
His father smiled. “I’m surprised she still loves an old fool like me.”
“Me, too.”
“Watch it. You’re not that grown.”
They laughed and stood.
Hiram viewed him affectionately. “Are you too grown to hug your old father?”
“Never.”
The embrace was as strong as their bond. He was glad they’d had the opportunity to talk and were now moving forward. As they parted, Hiram said, “Convince Miss Lee to marry you, so I can hold a freeborn McCray babe in my arms.”
Garrett wanted that, as well. Freeborn children meant the world to families that had only known enslavement. “I’ll see what I can do.”
“Good.”
They left the chairs and returned to the boardinghouse.
Spring arrived home still smiling at Garrett’s reaction to her revelation. Having come to the conclusion that she did indeed care for him in a way that had to be love, and spring it on him as a surprise, made the moment memorable. Her humor deflated seeing her grandfather seated atop his old wagon.
Sighing, she parked and walked over to him. “What can I do for you, Ben?”
Clad in the worn, shaggy buffalo coat he wore no matter the weather, he asked, “Did your brother tell you I’m dying?”
“He did. I was sorry to get the news.”
“I’m leaving you everything I own.”
She stared. “Why?”
“Who else is there? Your brother’s already married to Queen Midas and doesn’t need my money. Odell will be joining me in the grave soon. So, you’re it. All my land, mining interests, water rights, gold, back-East investments, and the rest. Had a lawyer do up the papers. They’re in a deposit box at the bank.”
“I don’t want it.”
“I don’t care, and if you’re dumb enough not to take it so you can have a better life, shame on you.”
“Do you hear me? I don’t want it.”
“Did you hear me? I don’t care.”
He slapped the reins down on the backs of his mules and the rickety old wagon rambled off.
Snarling, she watched him go.
She walked into her cabin wanting to punch something. Instead, she made coffee. When it was done, she carried her cup of the brew outside and sat on the back porch. That he would leave her everything was not something she’d expected. Granted, she could use the financial boon because for the past few years poverty had been pinching her like a pair of too-small boots. With profits down from the horse business, she’d have no hogs to slaughter and sell this autumn. There was no extra money to purchase piglets, let alone the feed necessary to raise them and fatten them up.
But considering her anger at Ben, would accepting make her a hypocrite? She hadn’t asked him to leave her anything, so did that make a difference? She didn’t know. She’d had no idea his holdings were so vast. Saying yes would potentially make her a pretty wealthy woman. A part of her hoped he’d come to his senses and change his mind so the matter would be out of her hands, but there was little chance of that occurring. Once Ben set a course there was no going back. His decision that placed her eighteen-year-old self on the path that would become her life stood as testament to his stubborn resolve. She wondered if this was his way of apologizing. He certainly owed her something for putting her through hell, and as he’d plainly stated, she’d be dumb to turn down a gift that would make life easier. Outside of nuns, priests, and Jesuits, no one in their right mind chose to be poor, not even hypocrites.
After going back inside, she washed her cup and set it on the counter. The cabin interior echoed with silence. In the past, it had been companionable. Now something seemed missing and that something was Garrett. His presence drifted in the air like an unseen spirit, as if the cabin had become his, as well. It was an odd sensation, but not an unpleasant one. She felt that if she went to his room and knocked on the door, he’d set aside his book and respond. He’d been a constant companion lately, her partner, and she’d grown accustomed to having him near. In a few days he’d be returning to the place he called home, yet, during the past few weeks, she’d come to consider this cabin his home. They’d shared meals, conversation, passion, and she admitted that in the back of her mind, she worried he’d go back East and decide not to return. If so, she’d mourn what might have been then retrain herself in how to be a woman alone. For the moment, however, she looked forward to tomorrow evening and the night they planned to share.
Later, as she prepared for bed, she opened the door to his room and looked inside. Most of his belongings were still there. In a corner by the wardrobe were the new boots he’d been unable to remove on his own the day she rescued him from the storm, and the memory of that encounter evoked a soft smile. Who knew he’d work his way into her life and heart so effortlessly, and that she’d be changed as a result? Her eyes lingered on the bed. Some women might be comforted by sleeping in their love’s bed while he was away, but Spring thought that pretty sappy—she hadn’t been changed that much. After closing the door, she walked through the silence to her own room.
Chapter Sixteen
The following morning Spring knew she’d spend the day pacing and making herself loco while waiting for Garrett to arrive, so she ate breakfast and rode over to see Regan to pass some of the time.
“I’m in love,” Spring confessed.
Holding the baby, Regan got up from her sofa, walked to the closest window, and looked out.
“What are you doing?”
“Trying to see the pigs flying around.”
Spring shot her a look and laughed. “I will hurt you, you know.”
Regan grinned and retook her seat. “No, you won’t. Congratulations on finding someone who fills you heart.”
“It wasn’t my intention.”
“Love has a way of finding us anyway. Especially when we’re not looki
ng. Have you told him?”
“I have.” Spring described the moment.
“That was so wrong but so perfect.”
“I know.” She could still hear Garrett yell, “Spring! Get back here!”
She spent the next few minutes telling Regan about meeting Garrett’s family, and Vernon’s reaction to Ed Prescott.
Displeased, Regan said, “Let Melody know we don’t marry bigots in this family.”
“My feelings exactly. I understand that newspapers back East don’t paint a true picture of the tribes, but we were on Ed’s land. Vernon had seen that beautiful house, the horses, and still called him a savage.”
“You wanted to do him bodily harm, I take it.”
“Very much so.” And she still did.
Regan looked down at Colton Fontaine and said quietly, “He’s asleep. Let me put him in the crib.”
When she returned, she said, “Colt said you told him the full story about working for Mitch Ketchum.”
“I did. He wants me to forgive Ben, so he needed to know the truth.” She’d shared the details with Regan right after she became Colt’s wife.
Regan said softly, “I’ve never seen your brother cry, Spring, but he did when we spoke about it. He thinks he failed you.”
Emotion clogged Spring’s throat. “I told him it wasn’t his fault.”
“I did, too, but he was heartbroken and angry at himself for suggesting you hold out the olive branch to Ben.”
Spring supposed she and her brother would need to discuss it further. The last thing she wanted was for him to berate himself for something he played no part in. “Ben told me he’s leaving me everything after his death.”
Regan looked surprised.
“I don’t want anything from him, and I think accepting this inheritance will make me feel like a hypocrite.”
Regan scoffed. “Please, don’t be ridiculous. Take whatever he gives you, so you can stop robbing Peter to pay Paul. If Ben’s trying to buy his way into heaven, fine. But accepting doesn’t make you a hypocrite. I’ve been dirt poor and wealthy. Wealthy is better.”
Wild Rain Page 20
