Ransom was beginning to get frustrated with the woman. What did she think I was going to do? Change my plans just because she doesn’t like them? That couldn’t happen. He needed to be on that train. He had waited as long as he could. She was here now, she had agreed to be his wife, she needed to take over here so he could go and look after what needed to be done.
He picked up his satchel and walked to the door. Before he walked through it, he looked back at her. That was a big mistake. His heart paused and his stomach clenched. She looked so beautiful and bewildered as her eyes filled with tears, but she was trying valiantly to keep them from falling.
“I’ll write to you, I promise,” he vowed.
“I don’t promise that I’ll write to you,” she answered. “I don’t even promise that you’ll be welcome to return. I’m not even sure if our marriage is legal if you’re leaving so soon.” He realized her words were merely bravado. She was trying desperately not to be afraid. He felt like the worst heel for leaving her so suddenly and could imagine it was devastating. As she had said, she didn’t know anything about his place or his niece. He ought to try to reassure her.
“Everything is legal, I checked. I’ll try to be back quickly.”
“Is there nothing I can say to change your mind about leaving?” she asked, her voice small and hesitant.
Ransom felt as though he were kicking a kitten as he answered her. “No, this needs to be done. I’ll be in touch,” he added as he opened the door and strode out. He had been so anxious to go, it shouldn’t be difficult to do so, but a part of him wanted to stay behind and get to know his new wife, comforting her in her grief for her parents and whatever the situation was that had made her accept his proposal. He knew he was leaving her in an awkward position, but he couldn’t see a way around it. He needed to catch the train.
Without another backward glance, he climbed up onto the seat of the waiting wagon, grateful that Scott had gotten it ready at the appointed time.
“You were slower than I expected leaving the house,” Scott commented. “Taking a loving leave from the new missus?” he teased.
“I don’t want to talk about it.” Ransom knew his words sounded like a growl, but he couldn’t put it politely at the moment.
He didn’t want Scott thinking they weren’t a loving couple even though he knew they had only met the day before. Hannah’s words about leaving her with a hired hand had struck him. Scott wasn’t an ugly man. And while he was a loyal friend, Hannah was a beautiful woman who would be looking for someone to lean on in the coming weeks.
“Are you sure you’re going to be comfortable staying on with her while I’m away?”
“There’s nothing for me to be uncomfortable about,” Scott answered, seeming confused by the question. “Are you feeling uncomfortable about me sticking around?”
Ransom shrugged and Scott laughed.
“You don’t want to leave your beautiful bride behind. You’re having cold feet about leaving her, aren’t you?”
Ransom shrugged again. He thought Scott was going to fall out of the wagon he was laughing so hard at Ransom’s expense.
“I really don’t see the humor in this situation.”
“Of course, you don’t,” Scott agreed when he managed to regain his composure. “Listen, Delaney. You and I are friends. You married her. She’s your woman. You can trust me with her. I will stick by her to help with the heavy chores, just like I would do for you. I expect you to pay me, of course,” he added with a grin. “But I’ll do my best to protect your wife and the youngsters from whatever threats you might be fretting about.” He paused and they both stared out at the passing landscape, deep in thought. “I do recommend you hurry back as quickly as you can, though. If word gets out that you’ve left a beautiful woman behind, things are bound to get ugly.”
Ransom grunted in agreement. He hadn’t expected her to be so lovely. He should have asked her a little more about her own situation. Why she had agreed to their arrangement. But he had been so relieved to have a wife to take over his home; he hadn’t given too much thought to her motivations. He knew she was running from something. That marriage was a protection for her in some way. But he didn’t know the details. He ought to. But if he knew, he’d probably feel even worse for leaving her. He would have to hope that being legally wed would be protection enough for her for now. And he would hurry as Scott had admonished.
It wouldn’t even be a hardship. It had only been one day but already, having a wife in the house had made a difference. He hadn’t minded being away from his place before. Long stretches could pass when he wouldn’t even think about his land, knowing Scott had it in hand, he didn’t concern himself with it, knowing it was there for him to return to when he was ready. Now, it held a great deal more appeal. But he needed to tie up his loose ends before he could settle in there playing house with his ready-made family.
Ransom shook his head. He had a wife and three children. It was a little daunting. While he felt badly about leaving her so suddenly with all the responsibility and no experience, Ransom wasn’t actually all that disappointed about leaving the responsibility behind with her. He had felt overwhelmed with Francine. And now there were two more children. Orphaned children at that. Ones with all sorts of emotional needs that he had no way of filling. No, it was actually much better that it all be left in Hannah’s hands. She had seemed capable this morning as she served up a delicious breakfast and dealt with the children and their myriad questions. They’d all be fine without him.
He was pretty sure he was protesting too much, even within the confines of his own head. Ransom reminded himself of what he had been discussing with Scott. Oh yes, things might get ugly when word got out that he had left town and there was a beautiful, young wife alone in his house.
“I trust you’ll keep yourself visible if trouble comes knocking.”
“Of course. But I’m only one man.”
“The town isn’t so very wild,” Ransom offered. “I’m sure she’ll make friends with the neighbors and they’ll come to her aid if she needs anything.”
“Probably.”
Scott didn’t seem inclined to discuss it much longer, and Ransom was happy to lapse into silence once more. He would be on the train heading northwest within the next couple of hours. He only hoped he hadn’t delayed his departure so long that it wasn’t even worth his trip. He hadn’t realized, when he had come home after he had gotten word that his brother had died, that it would be months before he would be back. He hated the thought of leaving his mine unattended for so long. He didn’t think word had gotten out that he’d had a strike, but one could never be too sure about these things. He hadn’t been able to sufficiently secure it before he had left. Ransom had thought he would only be gone a couple weeks at the most since he hadn’t known about Francine. Well, he knew she existed, of course, he just hadn’t given thought to the fact that he was the only living relative left for her to go to. And he just couldn’t allow her to go into an orphanage, as much as that idea had appealed in a certain way.
Even now, as Hannah had suggested, why hadn’t he sent her to stay with one of the neighbors? As Scott had mentioned, the neighbors were fine folks. Someone would’ve surely taken the girl in while he was away. But the child needed a family. He, even as a boy, had hated the fact that he and his brother had no one except each other. He couldn’t do that to his niece. He needed a mother for her. And the fact that she would have siblings to grow up with was even better. Ransom didn’t care that they weren’t actually related. They were connected through Hannah, and he was sure they would be a family. He didn’t know how to be a part of a family, but he knew he wanted one for Francine. If he survived this trip, he would learn how to be a part of a family when he got home.
The thought warmed him and he had a smile on his face when the train came into view. It was all going to work out. He was just in time for the train. Already the steam was pouring out and the whistle was blowing. He had bought his ticket the day bef
ore while he waited for Hannah and the children, so all he had to do was shake Scott’s hand, grab his satchel, and climb aboard.
When he made a quick stop at the post office out of habit, he was surprised to see there was a letter awaiting him. It must have come on yesterday’s train and not been sorted by the time he had left. He couldn’t help smiling. It was from Hannah. Little did she know, it didn’t arrive before she did. He tucked it into his pocket and stepped up onto the train just as it began its slow departure from the station. With a wave of his hat to Scott, he stepped away from the door and went to find a seat.
Ransom got comfortable and opened his letter, surprised at the level of anticipation he felt at seeing her tidy script.
Dear Mr. Delaney:
I feel silly writing this letter but I wanted to introduce myself even though by the time you read this we will already be married. My brother and sister and I will be getting on the train as soon as it can be arranged. I’m sure Fred has already told you all about us but I just wanted to thank you personally for the arrangements you are offering us.
We have lived all our lives in Boston so it will be a bit of an adjustment for us to get used to living elsewhere but we are looking forward to the adventure of it. Well, I should say that I am. My siblings are understandably apprehensive. It will be maybe a little too much change for them all at once, but I have my reasons for wishing to get them away from Boston at this time. I’ll explain all of that to you when we meet. Just please understand that you are helping us out immensely through this marriage.
While we will be strangers, I will do everything in my power to learn to be a suitable wife for you. You might have to explain to me what that entails, in your opinion, but I will do my best.
Ransom had to look away from the page for a moment. She sounded so very earnest. Clearly, when she wrote this, she hadn’t realized that his ideal wife would be remaining behind to look after his niece while he went off on his adventure. He thought he had been clear with Fred. He looked back at the letter.
I have heard fascinating things about Nebraska and I look forward to seeing it for myself. I also look forward to meeting you and your niece and seeing your home. We should be there shortly.
Yours sincerely,
Hannah Bowman Delaney
Chapter Seven
Hannah stared at the closed door. What had just happened? Her brand new husband of one week, that she had only met the day before, had just walked out on her. With no explanation. It was not as though she had been nagging him or something. She was almost certain it had nothing to do with her. It couldn’t be that he had found her lacking in some way since he hadn’t even taken the time to get to know her at all. So surely it couldn’t be her fault. Could it?
She sank down into a chair and looked around the large room. She felt as though she were in a daze. How was she going to handle this? She took stock of the situation as she looked around some more, forcing her mind to break out of the fog it was in.
It was a large, comfortable house. Not as luxurious in hangings and furnishings as their home in Boston but nearly as spacious. The rooms were larger, there were just fewer of them. But that would be just fine out here on the frontier. She doubted they would have any need for a ballroom here. And in a certain way she found the wooden structure warmer than the stone edifice they called home in the city. She wasn’t sure if it would be warmer in actuality when winter arrived, but it was certainly more inviting. There was something imposing about their house in Boston. This house, despite its size, was welcoming, even though she didn’t love the dull gray color of the exterior. Perhaps it could be painted.
She laughed, hearing hysteria in the sound. She was thinking about painting the house when she had just been abandoned with three children in the middle of nowhere. And she didn’t know how to paint. She must have lost her mind somewhere along the way.
With a start, Hannah stood up and went toward the doorway. Ransom had said he would store the gun by the door. Suddenly, she felt the urge to confirm it was there. Sure enough, leaning against the doorframe, there was the gun. As she checked to see if the gun was loaded, Hannah was torn. Dreadful accidents could surely occur. But then again, of what use would an unloaded gun be in a real emergency? Spying the ammunition on a small shelf above the door, Hannah reached up toward it. She could just reach it if she stood on her toes. Which meant that the children couldn’t reach it. Not even Brent, yet. Probably before long he would sprout up and be taller than her, but for now, she was comforted by the thought that none of the children would be able to reach the ammunition without getting a chair to stand on. She would have to practice loading the gun quickly since she would be more comfortable knowing the thing wasn’t loaded.
Sitting back down, Hannah marveled at how far her mind had bent in the last month. A month ago, she didn’t think of much else than the latest fashions and gossip. Oh, she wasn’t trying to disparage herself; she wasn’t a total simpleton with nothing going on between her ears. There had been charities she supported, of course. She did good works; her charitable support hadn’t just been lip service. But she had never actually been involved with anything of import. But now, here she was, all alone with three children to look after, contemplating the best way to store a gun. Who was this woman?
She had been quite happy with who she was before. She had not been one of those girls who felt the need to “find herself.” Hannah’s life had been on track to being pretty perfect. Then their parents had died, and she had read the Will before the official reading. She was so grateful the lawyers had allowed her that. It had given her a jumpstart on her plans. And she hadn’t bothered waiting around for the official reading. Only Uncle Jason would have attended that. She was able to make her arrangements and get the children away from Boston. Of course, her mad dash from Boston had been with the expectation that there would be a reliable, adult male at the end of the journey to help her shoulder her responsibilities.
Hannah realized with a start that she had never relied upon herself alone before. Not even once. Now she would have to learn to do so. Of course, she would expect the children to help. But she would have to direct them. She would have to be the reliable adult for them. Hannah was beyond grateful that they had all gone outside to play while she had been cleaning up from the morning meal and so they were not there to witness her desperate state. She could pull herself together before they came in and she would have to explain the situation to them.
Poor Francine! Hannah would have to explain to the little girl that her only living relative had just abandoned her. Of course, she couldn’t put it like that. She would have to tell her in a way that didn’t damage her little heart.
With a sigh, Hannah stood up to finish cleaning the kitchen. Even in a catastrophe, the chores still needed to be completed. Then she would have to find some paper and start making lists. As she put away the dishes a part of her wanted to throw them across the room. She was quite sure there would be a certain satisfaction in listening to the crash because it felt like that was what was happening to her life, and she wanted it to be outside of herself, not inside. But she was the reliable adult, she reminded herself, fighting the urge. She couldn’t risk the children coming in while she was having her fit. She would have to relieve the pent-up frustration in some other, preferably more productive, way.
Hannah dithered outside Ransom’s room for some minutes, castigating herself for her foolishness. She had searched the entire house and was disappointed not to have found any paper. He had mentioned to her, just before leaving, that he had left important papers in his room for her. So, he expected her to enter. It was foolish of her to be respecting his privacy. He had all the privacy he wanted wherever he was, she reminded herself as she pushed the door open.
It was a masculine room. It even smelled differently than the rest of the house. Like him. She took a deep breath. She liked it, but she shouldn’t. He was a rat, she reminded herself as she shut the door. She didn’t want the children to see
her in here because she planned on telling them it was off limits. So, she couldn’t spend too long in there.
Looking around, she quickly spotted a small pile of papers on the desk in the corner and hurried over. As she passed through the room, she admired its clean lines. He had left it tidy. That surprised her. Neither her father nor her brother had seemed capable of tidying. But then again, they had maids to clean up after them. She never had found out many details of Ransom’s background, so she didn’t know if he had always had to fend for himself or not. It seemed he must be all alone in the world if he had found it necessary to marry a stranger in order to provide for his niece. But at least, seeing that he could clean his room, it reassured her that Brent would be able to learn.
Hannah shook her head. Once again, she was allowing random thoughts to distract her. She ignored the rest of the room and moved over to the desk wondering if she should read through the papers before she began her lists. Perhaps they would help her to know what to put on her lists, since she didn’t actually feel like she knew what she was doing. With a wry twist to her lips, Hannah sat down at the desk. She was becoming comfortable in the room and the window beside the desk provided excellent lighting. Perhaps she would look the papers over.
Ransom had been thorough, she would give him that much. It looked to her like this was mostly legal paperwork pertaining to the land. And there was also his brother’s Will leaving the guardianship of Francine to Ransom. Besides what looked to be bank information, Ransom had written out his own Will leaving guardianship of Francine and ownership of everything belonging to Ransom Ellacott Delaney to his wife Hannah Bowman Delaney. Hannah flushed. He had left her everything he owned. And from the paperwork, it would appear that it was quite a lot. He hadn’t even divided it up to give some to Francine. She supposed he had been in a hurry. And he had promised her he was coming back. So, this was just a precaution. But still. He had entrusted all that he owned to her. She read over his list of what he was deeding to her once more. He had land in Oregon? He had mentioned a claim. And Fred had said Ransom would be travelling further west. But what could possibly be so important in Oregon that he would leave his family the day after they arrived?
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