“You have to give me time, Anna. It took me almost this entire year to come to grips with the fact that you chose to leave. I finally let you go. We have a lot of time to make up. There are so many questions I need answered. Don’t push me.”
Anna smoothed his hair away from his face and traced her finger down his cheek. “I’ll give you time. I wanted to surprise you, but perhaps it’s better that you know. Mother and I have planned a picnic for the Fourth of July, here at the Hawk. It would be the perfect time to announce our engagement.”
Ty slammed his hand against the railing, and Anna flinched. “Did you not hear me tell you I need time? I’m not ready to promise there willbe an engagement. Besides, there’s been no woman in this house since my mother died. Take one good look around and you can see for yourself. I’ve barely been able to keep it presentable.”
Anna’s hands clenched at her side. “And I’m telling you, Ty Morgan. Thereis an engagement, and I have the ring to prove it. If you don’t intend to honor that, then you will be the one to explain to our friends and neighbors. And don’t forget the good people at church. You know this entire community expects us to wed, and they have since we were children.”
“You didn’t seem to see the need to explain your leaving.”
“My leaving was no business of anyone around here. But my coming back is. I’m here, and I’m staying as your wife. Or you can have the distinct privilege of telling everyone why you refuse to honor our engagement.”
“Anna—”
She raised her hand. “And you’re quite correct in your assessment of the condition of this house. It does need a thorough going over, and I’ve arranged for Miss Wenghold to take care of it.”
“You did what?” He closed his eyes. Surely she didn’t ask Robin to clean his house. “Why, when you have a cleaning woman, would you ask her? How many people do you need to involve?”
Anna sat on the bottom step and motioned for him to join her. “Why are you so angry? Is it because I didn’t let you in on what I thought would be a wonderful surprise? Or is it because I asked Robin?”
“Both. And what made you think John Wenghold’s niece would even consider such a task?” Why did she question his anger? What happened to the Anna who put other people first? What happened to the woman who cleaned this house when his mother became too ill to do it herself?
“Henrietta Harvey told Mother that John invited his niece to come to Kansas to help him. Something about it working both ways, since his brother left a lot of debt. I thought it would benefit her, and I didn’t for one minute think it would upset you so.”
“And how did Mrs. Harvey know this bit of news, Anna? I’ve never known John Wenghold to divulge anything vaguely familiar to family business, and I doubt his niece would tell her.”
Anna shrugged. “I don’t know. I’m only repeating what she said. But there’s something you need to know that concerns Miss Wenghold.”
Ty chewed on the side of his mouth. Had Anna been in the house long enough to find the picture Jacob drew for him? He did observe her coming down the stairs when he came in. With a sigh, he lowered himself to the step. “I’m listening.”
Anna explained what she’d witnessed at John’s place in the barn and in the house.
“You say the boy was screaming at John not to hit his mama?” Ty braced his elbow on his knee and rubbed his forehead.
“Yes. And Robin––” An odd look came to her eyes. “She was dressed like a man, Ty. I’ve never seen the like. I would have mistaken her for Mr. Wenghold had he not been in a tussle with the child. And I think maybe John had knocked her down because . . . Oh, Ty—the girl limped something awful.”
He shook his head. “So naturally, you decided asking her to come here to clean would keep her safe? Is that what you’re saying, Anna? And what did Miss Wenghold have to say about such a plan?” Plenty, he imagined.
“She tried to reason it wouldn’t be proper for her to be at your home alone. But I assured her you wouldn’t even notice her presence, and she could bring the little boy with her. I told her Mother would pay her well, unless you would rather take care of it.” Anna smiled.
“And she agreed?” She may not speak to him, let alone take money from him.
Anna reached for his hand. “I didn’t give her an opportunity to refuse. The poor girl needs to get away from that dreadful place.” She ran her soft thumbs across his knuckles. “Maybe we could even work something out, after we’re married, so she could continue to work for us. This is far too large a place for me to keep up by myself, especially with the entertaining we will be expected to do. And it would give her a steady income.”
Ty stood. “You’re forgetting, Anna. I’m agreeing to nothing. Have you already issued invitations for the picnic?” Did she honestly believe having Robin working for them would be an answer to any problem?
She nodded. “Protocol demands sufficient time to plan. Anything less than six weeks would be egregious.”
Ty shook his head. “I do wish you would’ve talked with me about this first. I don’t like it at all, and now you’ve managed to include the entire community.”
Anna stood and squeezed his arm. “Ty Morgan—you know as well as I do that you have never been able to tell me no. Six weeks is a short time to get ready for such a gala event, but more than enough time for you to realize you still love me. Now, walk me to my buggy. Mother will be concerned I’ve not yet returned.”
They reached the buggy, and she put her hands on either side of his face. “Look at me, Ty. Take a good long look so you don’t forget. Then you go back into the house and think about all we’ve talked about.” She kissed her fingertips then touched his lips. “That could be the real thing, you know. You only need to decide.”
As she drove away, Ty pressed his fingers to his mouth. The real thing? How often, during the long nights this past year, he’d willed her to be in his arms with her lips on his. He could have taken her in his arms today. She let him know that with certainty. Why hadn’t he?
He took the steps to his bedroom two at a time. He would change clothes, then hightail it over to John’s. Would Robin speak to him? What had possessed her to dress like a man? And why had Jacob yelled at John not to hit his ma?
Ty grabbed a clean shirt from the wardrobe. As he turned away, he saw John’s notice lying on the bed, and that revelation removed all doubt. Anna had seen it all. But did she want him to know? He sat by the window and leaned his head against the back of the chair.
Anna challenged him to remember her promise of kisses. But a small dimple, at the corner of a mouth he’d never tasted, niggled into his mind and squeezed into a corner of his heart.
Was it possible to love two women at the same time?
FIFTEEN
A shaft of noonday sun shone through the gap in the rafters of the barn, revealing the lingering dust in the air. John smiled down at the impish, dirt-covered face of the boy standing in front of him. “I tell you what, Jacob. I’d say you done a man’s work this mornin’. Why don’t you hustle on in the house and see what you can find to eat? How ‘bout it?” He picked a piece of straw off the boy’s shoulder and flicked it to the floor.
“What you gonna do? Aren’t you hungry?” Jacob imitated John and wiped a finger under his nose then on the seat of his pants. “Phew. Robin missed all the mans’ work, didn’t she?” His forehead puckered. “Are you gonna yell at her again?”
John knelt in front of him. “I was wrong to get so all-fired foolish actin’, Jacob. Sometimes even grown-up people like me have to say they’s sorry. So, while you’re a gettin’ you something to chew on, I’m gonna go talk with Robin. I need to ask her to forgive me for them mean things I said.”
“Where is she? Didn’t she go with that lady to the house? She’s real purty––that Anna lady––ain’t she?”
John shrugged. “Guess you might say that. But if there’s one thing a man has to learn, it’s that sometimes purty ain’t what’s on the ouside. You run on
in now. Then stay put. You hear me? Don’t go wanderin’ off by yourself. Stay in the house ‘til I get back.” He gave him a swat on the behind and scooted him out the door.
“I will. Promise.” Jacob scampered away.
John waited to make sure Jacob entered the house. He’d watched his niece limp her way to the creek after Miss Blair’s buggy rolled from sight and determined then he would follow her as soon as he got the boy situated. He did need to apologize. That was plain as the nose on Albert Harvey’s face. But somethin’ a whole lot more important stirred around in his head. Why did the boy think he was gonna hit Robin? Was it because he’d come to think of her as a real ma? Or could it be some man hit that poor lady what laid out on that prairie?
From a distance he spied Robin with her back against a big cottonwood tree, hands in her lap. And she was still wearin’ them men’s clothes. Things must not have gone so well with Miss Blair. She gave him a sad smile when he reached her. His throat tightened with the knowledge he’d caused her pain. He lowered himself to the ground beside her. “Bad day get badder, did it?”
She nodded. “When I left the barn I thought the day couldn’t get any worse. But it did.”
Don’t put it off, John. He took her hand. My goodness, did all ladies have such small hands? “Before we talk ’bout another thing, Robin, I need to say I’m sorry for shootin’ off my big mouth like I did ’bout the way you was dressed and all. You caught me by surprise, and I guess I don’t like surprises much.”
She squeezed his hand. “I’m not without fault, Uncle John. I think I knew how you would feel. Emma warned me when I went to buy the clothes.”
“That woman knows a lot about people’s feelin’s, don’t she?”
“Did you hear Jacob refer to me as Mama?”
John scooted so he could see his niece’s face as they talked. “I surely did, and that’s another thing I want to talk to ya ‘bout. But first off, I guess I gotta know if you forgive me or not. Sure hate to go to bed with anger in the house.”
“Oh, dear man. You’re forgiven. I’m not angry. I’m scared. I’ve been scared from the first day I got here. I didn’t know what was ahead for me. I’m not sure I would have taken you up on your kind offer if I had.”
“Would you rather be married to William Benson?”
“I don’t know. No. I don’t think so. When I think about it, things swirl around in my head. William doesn’t know about Jacob. His offer may not stand if there is a child to consider. But as far as I’m concerned, that little boy and I come as a package.”
“You mean, if he wants youand the boy, you might consider leaving?” He didn’t much like the idea of that city fella takin’ them away.
Robin smiled. “No. I’m just thinking aloud. Right now, my biggest fear is Jacob. Did his outburst mean he saw his mama being abused? I was so loved by my papa. Why would anyone put a child through such a thing? It was clear he wanted to protect me.”
“And I didn’t help none. Me and my thinkin’ if I threatened to whup ya, it would change things. You gotta remember, I ain’t used to havin’ nobody but me to watch out for, and nobody else to boss around. Ain’t no other woman ever lived in this house but my ma.” He patted her hand. “I’m sure wishin’ I could talk with Emma. See if she could shed some light on that whole thing with the boy.”
“Are you going to town?” Robin picked at her fingernails.
“Nope. Too late in the day to start now. Ain’t ‘bout to leave you and the boy here all by your lonesome with someone nosin’ around. See what tomorrow brings, I reckon.”
“Where’s Jacob? He won’t wander off, will he?”
“Sent him to get somethin’ in his belly. You hungry?”
“No, but I’ll come in and help clean up the mess like I should’ve in the first place.” She related the scene with Miss Blair, including the pesky rodent. “You were right about the pack rat. At least this creature was larger than any Chicago mouse I’ve ever seen.”
“I’ll plug them holes first thing. I never should’ve left the kitchen in such a fix. Reckon I was playin’ the same game as you. Wanted to see how long it took before you hollered.”
Robin laughed. “Then we’ve both learned a lesson, huh?”
“Yep. Did you find out what that Blair woman wanted so early in the morning?”
Robin nodded then wiped at tears spilling down her cheeks.
He studied the bark on the tree behind her.What’s a fella supposed to do? This havin’ a woman around sure is different. One minute she’s smilin’ the next thing she’s got water fillin’ her eyes.
“She and Ty are getting married. Anna and her Mother have a big party planned for the Fourth of July, and they will announce their engagement then. She asked me to ready the big house at the Hawk for the special event.”
“She asked you to clean Ty’s house? What right does she got to do that?” He slapped his knee. “Looks to me if Ty thought it needed cleanin’ he’d ask you himself.”
“Would he, Uncle John? Is that how Ty sees me, too? As a housemaid?” She palmed away her tears.
“Oh, girly. I didn’t no more mean that than I meant I’d whup ya. Just an old man a talkin’ again. You ain’t nobody’s housemaid. Especially Ty Morgan’s. And for sure not someone Anna Blair can order around. Ya told her no’ didn’t ya?” He lifted himself from the ground and pulled Robin to her feet.
“I tried. Miss Blair is obviously not accustomed to having her requests denied.” She dusted off the seat of her britches. “Let’s go get that kitchen cleaned up.”
He shook his head. “No. Me and Jacob made the mess, we’ll clean it up. You take your time comin’ in. Might be surprised what this old man can do.”
“You know what I’d like to do? I’d like to try my hand at cleaning the barn. It would help work off my frustrations. But could you see that Jacob stays away? I need some time alone.”
“Doggone it, girly. Didn’t mean for this day to come a fallin’ down on ya like this. I’ll keep Jacob with me, you can bet on that. And I’ll stay out of your way, too.” He laid his arm across her shoulders. “I probably ain’t supposed to be showin’ you this, but if you was to go around to the other side of this tree you’d find what Ty calls his ‘leanin’ spot.’ Might be good if you was to spend some time there a leanin’ and thinkin’.”
Robin peered at the tree. “Ty showed me the day we came fishing with Jacob, but I didn’t recognize it. It’s his place, Uncle John. I’m not sure, with all that has happened, that I should intrude on a private spot like that.”
“Pshaw, girly. It ain’t no more his private spot than it is mine. It’s a hole in a tree. I don’t see no reason you can’t lean there if you was a wantin’ to.”
“That day we were here, Ty recounted some of the times he spent in that hideaway. Most of them were sad. I think he was even going to tell me about Anna Blair that day, but I interrupted him. In retrospect, I should have allowed him to talk.”
“Well, you do what you’ve a mind to do. I’ll keep Jacob away, and I don’t think you’ll have to worry none about Miss Blair finding ya. You know, my ma is the onliest woman I ever put my arms around, or my lips on, but sure if I don’t feel like givin’ you a hug right now.” He pulled her to him and held her while she sobbed then dug in his pocket for his handkerchief and handed it to her. “I sure do hope you stick around, Robin. I imagine you’re ‘bout the best thing to happen to me for a long time. Your grandma Wenghold would be proud. Mighty proud.”
John kicked a rock ahead of him and shuffled to the house. His ma would like this spunky daughter of Lionel’s. It would break her heart to watch the little gal limp like she did, but it was strange how you forgot about it after you were around her a while. And the longer you were around her the prettier she got. Maybe because it wasn’t only outside beauty. No, it went clear through. Like Emma.
He picked up the rock and chucked it at a fencepost. That Emma—she was some lady. He always wondered how George Ledbetter came to
win her heart like he did. You’d never guess it. Why, the guy must have measured as much around his middle as he did from head to toe. But every inch of him was packed tight as could be with goodness. Did Emma miss that man as much as he did? Maybe he should ask her. But it was strange—when he was around that lovely lady he hardly even gave George a thought. Land’s sake.
Maybe the best thing would be to take her to the hotel for a right nice steak supper. Now that would set tongues a waggin’. But it wouldn’t bother him. Nope, wouldn’t fret him at all.
###
Robin watched Uncle John trudge back to the house, and her heart swelled with the same kind of love she’d felt for her pa. Times like this she missed Pa so fierce it ached. But it had helped to have flesh-and-blood arms around her while she cried. Her uncle said he didn’t want her to leave. And she didn’t think it was just because he’d grown fond of Jacob either.
When Uncle John disappeared from sight, Robin slipped around the huge trunk of the tree and tucked herself into Ty’s leanin’ notch. Had he ever shown this special place to Anna?
Was it wrong to hope he hadn’t?
###
Ty dismounted and wrapped Patch’s reins around the hitching rail in front of John Wenghold’s big stone house. The setting sun cast a golden hue to the surroundings. A magic time of day when everything seemed right and worries or problems disappeared in the beauty of it. But this evening he had too much on his mind.
Do I still love Anna? Could I be in love with Robin, too? Does Jacob have a pa? Does Robin know about John’s quest to find her a husband? Does Anna? The questions assaulted him from every direction, like the hailstones the first night he’d met Robin. But that storm had ended. With no answers, tonight’s questions continued to twist through his mind.
Ty knocked on the kitchen door. Ordinarily he’d walk right in, like he’d been doing since he’d begun his daily visits to the Feather. But he was hesitant to do that this evening. With all that had transpired in the last couple of days, he may no longer be welcome. Jacob answered, and when he saw it was him, the lad squealed and jumped up and down. “Ty, you’re here! I been missing you. Did you come to read me a story?”
Robin Page 14
