His Substitute Mail-Order Bride

by Sherri Shackelford

  “May I see the crops?” Anna asked.

  If she was going to grow the maize, she wanted to see how a healthy plant should look.

  “Certainly.”

  Touches the Clouds strode ahead of her, and she struggled to keep up with his brisk pace. He pushed open the door and exited without looking behind him. Anna turned and tugged closed the heavy doors. A flash of movement just inside caught her attention, and she paused.

  She glanced over her shoulder and discovered Touches the Clouds had moved well ahead of her. She shrugged and finished closing the door. The barn was communal, after all.

  Ten minutes later, sweat trickled from her brow and dampened her bodice. Though considerably older than her, Touches the Clouds had an endless supply of energy. She skipped to keep up as he strode down the neat lines of corn. He stopped, and she nearly collided with him.

  He knelt and speared the dirt with his fingers. “We dig each hole and add a dead fish to nourish the roots.”

  The plants were young but healthy, and she marveled at the different varieties. The sun was barely starting to sink in the sky, and sweat trickled down her back. Her feet ached, and she was incredibly grateful that Russ had packed a picnic meal.

  The heat was making her a little woozy, but she didn’t want to halt the inspection lest Touches the Clouds think her rude. When his path led them back toward the seed barn once more, she slowed her steps and clutched the stitch in her side. The afternoon sun was sapping her strength.

  They’d nearly reached the barn when the scent of burning hay teased her nostrils.

  Touches the Clouds stopped and cocked his head. He searched the horizon and pointed. “There’s smoke coming out of the barn.”

  He broke into a run. She secured her hat with one hand and caught her skirts with the other, rushing behind him.

  Upon reaching the barn, he yanked open the door, and a wave of smoke poured from the opening.

  Staggering back a step, he flung his arm over his eyes. His heel caught on the uneven ground, and he fell, his knee bent awkwardly. He attempted to rise but fell back once more.

  Anna fished a handkerchief from her sleeve and covered her nose and mouth. She knelt beside Touches the Clouds and rested her hand on his shoulder. “Are you all right?”

  His face rigid in pain, he merely held his knee with both hands.

  Anna searched the clearing for any sign of Russ or Mr. Mitchell, but they were nowhere to be found.

  “We need to move away,” she said, hooking her arm beneath his shoulder. He was slight, but she struggled beneath his weight. “This way.”

  Together they staggered toward the lodge. When they reached the steps, he lowered himself onto the bottom riser.

  The smoke poured thickly from the partially open door, and the fire crackled. The medicine bag. Fearing Touches the Clouds might try to stop her, she sprang to her feet and dashed toward the barn. She tugged the doors open wider and peered inside. The worst of the flames were at the far end of the barn. She had plenty of time to retrieve the sacred bag.

  Taking a deep breath, she covered her nose with her handkerchief and scooted toward the raised table. Her eyes watered and she groped along the top until her fingers caught on the rough, carved surface of the box. Even in those few moments, the smoke had thickened.

  Barely able to see, she grasped the medicine bag and held tight. Pivoting on her heel, she started toward the exit once more. Smoke clouded the cavernous space and tears streamed down her face. Struggling for air, she made halting, awkward progress toward the door.

  The space had gone black, and her lungs burned. Reaching out her hand, she encountered a solid wall.

  Her heart hammered against her ribs. She’d lost her way in the dense smoke. The exit must only be five or ten feet away, but which direction? Sweat beaded her forehead, and the growing heat made her dizzy.

  The fire crackled and popped, growing stronger by the moment.

  She collapsed to her knees and felt along the floor. A sliver of light caught her attention, and she crawled toward the exit.

  Her lungs screamed, and her legs would barely cooperate. She clutched the medicine bag and crawled toward the elusive light in the distance.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Jason and Russ stood at the bottom of the creek bed. They’d walked behind the main lodge to survey the valley Jason had purchased for his coal mining company.

  “He’s trying to buy up the land for the roads,” Jason said bitterly after Russ explained what he’d learned. “I can’t believe I was so blind.”

  “I probably wouldn’t have found out either, except Simon discovered the deeds.”

  “Who is it?”

  “Don’t know. It’s not public knowledge until the deeds are filed with the county. There’s a man named Maroni flashing a lot of money in town. I’d check him out first.”

  Jason spun away. “Do you smell something?”

  Russ tilted back his head. “That’s smoke.”

  “There was nothing cooking when I was inside,” Jason said, a note of panic in his voice. “We’d best check.”

  Moving quickly, the two men climbed the steep embankment. Jason shielded his eyes from the sun and searched the horizon.

  “There!” He pointed. “It’s the barn.”

  Russ caught sight of the flames licking the side of the barn, and his chest seized. They crossed the distance to the main lodge and discovered Touches the Clouds limping toward the burning barn.

  He pointed. “She’s inside.”

  Neither man had to ask who.

  Jason started toward the building, and Russ caught the man’s arm. “I’ll go first. If I’m not out in ten minutes, it’s your turn.”

  The other man reluctantly stilled. “She doesn’t have ten minutes.”

  Russ offered a wry grin. “There’s no use three of us dying today.”

  “I’ll see to Touches the Clouds.” Jason gave his shoulder a quick clasp. “God be with you.”

  Russ’s heart skipped an uneven beat before a strange sense of calm descended over him. He shrugged out of his jacket and wrapped the fabric around his nose and mouth. Pausing outside the door, he gazed inside. Thick, black smoke poured from the barn doors and heat shimmered from the building. Opening the second door would feed the flames, growing the fire, but he needed the larger target for an exit.

  He crouched to avoid the worst of the smoke as he entered. He shouted Anna’s name, inhaling smoke and coughing.

  Instantly blinded, he dropped to the ground where there was at least some relief. His hands probed the ground ahead of him and bumped against warm flesh.

  “Anna!”

  “Russ, I can’t find the way out.”

  She coughed weakly.

  His heart soared, and he slid his fingers down her arm till he clutched her hand. “Stay low, and I’ll lead you out.”

  Heat singed his cheeks and he feared the roof collapsing. Lungs burning, he crawled toward the exiting plume of smoke. Once they’d cleared the door, he stood and scooped Anna into his arms. Fearful of the heat and flames from the burning building, he carried her a safe distance away before collapsing onto the hard-packed dirt.

  Jason was at his side in an instant, a tin cup of water in his outstretched hand. Russ accepted the offering and pressed the cup against Anna’s lips. Her eyes fluttered open.

  “Drink,” he ordered gruffly.

  She took a long swallow before gasping and coughing.

  Knowing she was alive sent a wave of emotion shuddering through her chest. He clasped her tightly in his arms, his eyes and throat burning, then rocked her back and forth.

  “Why did you go into a burning building?”

  She struggled away from him, revealing a leather satchel clutched in her hands. “The medicine bag. Touches the Clouds said the bag was sacred.�
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  A bell clanged incessantly, sending his head throbbing. Soon dozens of Shawnee were jogging toward the building. A fire brigade formed and bucket after bucket of water tossed on the inferno.

  Russ appreciated their tenacity though the effort was useless. Flames devoured the dry wood, and the barn collapsed inward, shooting plumes of smoke into the sky. Beams crackled and popped, exploding into showers of sparks.

  Anna gasped and sat up. “There might have been someone else inside. I thought I saw someone in there earlier.” Her eyes red, she blinked rapidly.

  Gooseflesh raised on his arms. “How well did you see the person?”

  “Not well. Just a flash of movement.”

  “As though he didn’t want to be seen,” Russ said more to himself than Anna.

  She held her hands against her lips. “I hope he got out in time.”

  “I’m sure he did,” Russ replied with certainty. The rider he’d seen earlier and the person Anna had seen were too much of a coincidence on top of the sudden fire. “Are you all right?”

  “I’m fine.” She swiped at her forehead, leaving a trail of soot. “The Shawnee seeds were in there. They’ve lost everything.”

  “But it’s spring. Surely everything has been planted.”

  “They always keep a supply of seeds in case something goes wrong with the harvest. If there’s a drought or a flood before the plants bear fruit, they’ll lose everything. One of the varieties of corn is specific to the Shawnee.” She gasped and clutched the satchel hanging around her neck. “Touches the Clouds gave me some. It’s not much, but it can be used to rebuild a crop if the worst happens.”

  Russ gently rubbed the soot from her forehead. “No seed or medicine bag is worth risking your life. Promise me you’ll never again run into a burning building.”

  She appeared suddenly shy. “I didn’t expect the flames or the smoke to spread so quickly.”

  “Fire is like that.”

  “I’m fine. Go and help.”

  “Promise me you’ll stay here. Don’t try to rescue anything or anyone.”

  “I promise.”

  Leaving Anna, he joined the fire brigade, which was concentrating on containing the flames from the collapsed building. Jason joined a large group of men digging a fire trench between the barn and the main lodge in case a grass fire spread.

  After another hour, their labors proved fruitful. The fire still burned, though not quite as strong, and they’d significantly reduced the risk of spreading.

  The men gradually backed away, weary and resigned to the destruction. Despite her brush with the flames, Anna circulated among the thirsty men with a pail and scoops of water.

  Russ watched her carefully, noting the signs of exhaustion, and elbowed Jason. “I’d best see to Mrs. Linford.”

  Jason mopped his forehead with his blackened handkerchief. “You’re a fortunate man.”

  “More than you know.”

  He’d known the instant he’d discovered Anna was inside the burning building that he needed her. He’d do more than fight for her love. He’d die for her. She may not love him now, but maybe in a few years, she’d grow to love him. Until that time—if that time ever came—he’d care for her and the baby as best he could. He’d ease the burden from her shoulders and maybe even catch a glimpse of the carefree young girl he’d known before. Either way, he was doing the right thing by marrying her.

  Her shoulders drooping, Anna had taken a seat on a low bench. He walked over to her and gestured beside her. “Is this seat taken?”

  “I was saving it for you.” She smiled at him but it was a fleeting glimmer. “If only we could have done more.”

  He sat next to her and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “We’ll help them rebuild. This fall, we can even help them gather more seeds. We can’t change the past, but we can help build a better future.”

  She collapsed against his side, and he savored the feel of her. She trusted him, and he’d do everything in his power to assure her that trust was not squandered.

  Touches the Clouds limped toward them, his shoulders stooped, the lines in his face deep. “This is a sad day.”

  “I’ve got something for you.” Anna twisted and reached for the medicine bag, and presented Touches the Clouds with the bundle. “This is for you.”

  His hands trembling, the older man reached for the medicine bag. “Thank you,” he said simply.

  “You’re welcome,” she replied.

  Jason trudged wearily toward them. Perspiration drenched his shirt, and he collapsed beside the bench. “This town is never short on excitement.” He grinned, a handsome, engaging smile that probably made the girls swoon. “Or is it you, Mrs. Linford? Are you the source of the excitement? I seem to recall that you were involved in a shoot-out not more than a week ago.”

  Her cheeks flamed. “I was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

  Russ glared at the man and stood. “We should be returning.”

  Anna stood, as well. “I’m so sorry about your barn, Touches the Clouds.” She retrieved a pouch from around her neck. “At least we were able to save these. All is not lost.”

  She extended her arms, but Touches the Clouds put his hands over hers, dwarfing the small pouch. “You keep them safe.”

  Seeds. No doubt. She nodded, and her throat worked.

  Russ placed a hand on the small of her back. “You’re dead on your feet. You need rest.”

  Touches the Clouds gave a shallow bow and moved back toward his people, resting from fighting the fire. Jason shrugged into his coat.

  “Do you need a ride back to town?” Jason asked.

  “No,” Russ replied, his tone clipped. “I’ll see her back to town safely.”

  “Good.” Jason whistled a merry tune. “Because I only brought one horse.”

  His hands in his pockets, he strode toward the hitching post.

  Anna rolled her eyes. “He’s quite the charmer, isn’t he?”

  “He thinks a lot of himself. I suppose he has a right. He’s quite successful. He’d be a good husband for any woman.”

  “I’m not so sure.” She tucked her hand into the crook of his elbow. “I prefer a humbler man.”

  “I can’t think of anyone humbler than me.”

  “Really?” She laughed. “How humble are you?”

  “I’m so impressively humble, I rarely even mention all my dazzling successes.”

  She paused, and he halted beside her. “Is something wrong?”

  “I don’t want you to regret your decision.”

  “You don’t have to settle for me either, you know.”

  Her smile was tinged with sadness. “We don’t think a great deal of ourselves, do we?”

  “I think a great deal of you. And I’m going to spend the rest of our lives trying to make you see in yourself what I see in you.”

  “You’ll be sorely disappointed.”

  He faced her and caught her hands, pressing them against his chest. “What did he do to you?”

  She glanced away. “Who?”

  “Your husband. Anna, I’m not a fool. I knew you before you married him, and I know you now. Something happened to that beautiful hoyden I knew back in Philadelphia. Someone happened to her.”

  Her chin trembled, and she refused to meet his gaze. “He’s gone now. It doesn’t matter.”

  “It matters.”

  “Why? You said it yourself, we can’t change the past. We can only make a better future.”

  “Did you love him?”

  “I could have loved him, if he’d let me.”

  A wealth of meaning infused her words. She’d told him all he needed to know. For now. She was not austere by nature. He simply had to find the key to set her free once more, to regain the vivacious nature she’d had before.

  “
All right.” He had all the information he needed, for the time being. He’d known the instant he’d seen her on the road from Morgan’s Creek that something had gone terribly wrong in her life. Now he knew what. “Then I guess we’ll just settle for each other.”

  “It’s agreed.” Her relief at closing the subject was obvious. “I can’t think of anyone else I’d rather settle for.”

  It wasn’t much, but it was a start. He’d find a way to bring the light back to her eyes, even if it took the rest of their lives.

  * * *

  Anna paced the small church vestibule, the skirts of her borrowed dress fluttering behind her. A soft knock startled her from her troubled thoughts.

  She answered the door to Seth’s wife. Marigold was tall and slender with red-gold hair she’d rolled into an elegant chignon. Her cornflower blue dress brought out the delicate flecks of gold in her hazel eyes and highlighted the luster of her porcelain skin.

  “Seth sent me to check on you,” she said, her voice gentle. “Can I get you anything?”

  “Nothing. I’m fine. How long before the ceremony?”

  Marigold checked the watch pinned to her fitted bodice. “Ten more minutes.”

  “Thank you. For everything.” Anna brushed her hands over her silk skirts. “For finding me something to wear. The railroad still hasn’t located my trunk.”

  The dress was a delicate ivory confection of silk and lace with a pin-tucked bodice and full, billowing skirts. She’d forgone a veil and decorated her hair with a posy of flowers instead. Having been married before, the less formal arrangement suited her.

  “If they don’t find your trunk real soon,” Marigold said, “have Russ talk to them. He’ll make them reimburse you for the loss.”

  “I will. Where did you find something this lovely on such short notice?”

  Marigold tweaked Anna’s capped, flutter sleeve. “You can thank Hannah Johnson, the local dressmaker. She’s married to James, who works at the stockyards. He takes the boys fishing sometimes. I’m babbling now. Hannah has been working on a collection of wedding gowns. She had several dresses in various stages of completion for just such an occasion. Given the town’s growing population, her forethought was inspired.”